Effect of Norepinephrine and Epinephrine on Nonesterified Fatty Acid Concentration in Plasma

Abstract

Epinephrine and norepinephrine was infused into dogs at a rate of 8.4 [mu]g/min. Plasma glucose and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) were determined. Infusion of epinephrine for 10 minutes increased the initial plasma NEFA concentration by 35%. Repeating the infusion with norepinephrine resulted in a 2-fold increase in the plasma NEFA. During the infusion of epinephrine the plasma glucose paralleled the fatty acid changes whereas norepinephrine infusion resulted in little change in the plasma glucose level. The sympathetic nervous system is probably involved in regulation of fat transport due to the release of norepinephrine at the nerve endings in adipose tissue.