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Role of alpha‐adrenoceptors for adipocyte size in man
Author(s) -
ARNER P.,
MARCUS C.,
KARPE B.,
SONNENFELD T.,
BLOME P.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
european journal of clinical investigation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.164
H-Index - 107
eISSN - 1365-2362
pISSN - 0014-2972
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2362.1987.tb01226.x
Subject(s) - lipolysis , medicine , endocrinology , adipocyte , catecholamine , cell size , chemistry , basal (medicine) , alpha (finance) , adrenergic receptor , hormone , adipose tissue , biology , receptor , insulin , construct validity , nursing , patient satisfaction , microbiology and biotechnology
. Catecholamines have dual effects on lipid mobilization in man. Lipolysis is stimulated via beta‐adrenoceptors and inhibited via alpha 2 ‐adrenoceptors. The relationship between fat‐cell size and catecholamine‐induced lipolysis (expressed per cell surface area) was investigated in vitro in subcutaneous adipocytes of thirty‐five non‐obese subjects between 1 month and 45 years of age. Fat‐cell volume showed a positive correlation with noradrenaline‐induced lipolysis ( r = 0·7). Furthermore, fat‐cell size showed a negative correlation with the alpha 2 ‐effect of noradrenaline ( r = 0·8) but no correlation with the beta‐effect of the hormone ( r < 0·1). Although age showed a positive correlation with noradrenaline‐induced rate of lipolysis ( r = 0·6) it did not contribute to the relationship between cell size and the catecholamine effect. There was no relationship between adipocyte size and the basal (unstimulated) rate of lipolysis ( r < 0·1). In conclusion, ageing in non‐obese subjects is associated with enlargement of fat‐cell size and enhancement of the lipolytic effect of catecholamines. The latter is due to diminished alpha 2 ‐anti‐lipolytic effect of the hormones. This modulation of the alpha 2 ‐adrenoceptor activity may be of importance for the regulation of adipocyte size in man.