Mechanism for the ‘anti-lipolytic’ action of vasopressin in the starved rat

Abstract

The marked decrease in blood non-esterified fatty acids and ketone bodies after vasopressin infusion into starved rats [Rofe & Williamson (1983) Biochem. J. 212, 231-239] was investigated. Vasopressin did not inhibit lipolysis in isolated rat adipocytes. The metabolic effects in vivo were still present after pretreatment of rats with indomethacin, indicating that the effect is not secondary to the release of prostaglandins. Vasopressin significantly decreased blood flow through the retroperitoneal, epididymal and mesenteric fat depots, by 80%, 76% and 46% respectively. The specific haemodynamic effect of vasopressin on adipose tissue is considered to be the primary cause of the major metabolic changes seen in the starved rat.