Gamma‐aminobutyric acid supplementation improves olanzapine‐induced insulin resistance by inhibiting macrophage infiltration in mice subcutaneous adipose tissue

Aims To investigate whether gamma‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) supplementation improves insulin resistance during olanzapine treatment in mice and to explore the underlying mechanisms. Materials and Methods Insulin resistance and body weight gain were induced in mice by 10 weeks of olanzapine treatment. Simultaneously, the mice were administered GABA after 4 weeks of olanzapine administration. Results We found that mice treated with olanzapine had lower GABA levels in serum and subcutaneous white adipose tissue (sWAT). GABA supplementation restored GABA levels and improved olanzapine‐induced lipid metabolism disorders and insulin resistance. Chronic inflammation in adipose tissue is one of the main contributors to insulin resistance. We found that GABA supplementation inhibited olanzapine‐induced adipose tissue macrophage infiltration and M1‐like polarization, especially in sWAT. In vitro studies showed that stromal vascular cells, rather than adipocytes, were sensitive to GABA. Furthermore, the results suggested that GABA improves olanzapine‐induced insulin resistance at least in part through a GABA B receptor‐dependent pathway. Conclusions These findings suggest that targeting GABA may be a potential therapeutic approach for olanzapine‐induced metabolic disorders.