CO2‐Mediated Control of Fatty Acid Metabolism in Isolated Hamster Brown‐Fat Cells during Norepinephrine Stimulation

Abstract

1 Addition of norepinephrine to isolated hamster brown-fat cells suspended in Krebs-Ringer phosphate buffer induces a pronounced, but temporary, increase in respiratory rate. 2 If Krebs-Ringer phosphate buffer is bubbled with CO₂ prior to the addition of cells and norepinephrine, the respiratory capacity of the cells is further potentrated and most important, the respiration is maintained at a high rate until the medium becomes depleted of oxygen. 3 This respiratory pattern cannot be obtained in CO₂-bubbled Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate buffer. 4 The results indicate that CO₂ has a regulatory effect on fatty acid metabolism in isolated hamster brown-fat cells.