Action of adipokinetic hormones on human adipose tissue in vitro.

Abstract

Abstract The lipid-mobilizing effect of epinephrine in vitro on subcutaneous and mesenteric adipose tissue of 31 subjects of both sexes aged 8 to 80 years was determined. After the exclusion of data from patients with abnormal body weight or with endocrinopathy, a significant negative correlation between age and hormonal effect could be found. The subcutaneous adipose tissue was found to be less responsive than mesenteric adipose tissue. The responsiveness to epinephrine of mesenteric adipose tissue from 6 adult obese persons without endocrinopathy was not found to be decreased, even if related to fat-free dry weight or to the content of desoxyribonucleic acids, as compared with 8 nonobese adults. Norepinephrine was found to be a slightly more potent adipokinetic hormone than epinephrine. Glucagon, adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) were, practically without effect, or they decreased the liberation of fatty acids from human adipose tissue in vitro.