STUDIES ON THE METABOLISM OF ADIPOSE TISSUE: THE EFFECT OF ADRENALINE ON OXYGEN CONSUMPTION AND GLUCOSE UTILIZATION12

Abstract

The effect of adrenaline on the oxygen consumption of adipose tissue in vitro has been studied. The oxygen uptake of rat epididymal adipose tissue is linear with time and is independent of the presence of glucose in the medium. Adrenaline, 10 μg per ml., inhibits the oxygen uptake of adipose tissue incubated in a protein-free medium whether glucose is present or not. When albumin is present in the medium, adrenaline scarcely alters the oxygen uptake in the absence of glucose but stimulates oxygen uptake in the presence of glucose. The inhibition of oxygen uptake by adrenaline is related to the accumulation of free fatty acids within the tissue; the presence of albumin in the medium reduces the intracellular concentration of free fatty acids and prevents the inhibition of oxygen uptake. In the presence of insulin adrenaline markedly stimulates oxygen uptake; glucose is required for this effect. Insulin by itself scarcely alters oxygen uptake.