Comparison of Metabolic Activities of Orbital Fat With Those of other Adipose Tissues

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Abstract

The lipid metabolism of various adipose tissues from cats (orbital, paw, subcutaneous, and omental) was studied in vitro. The total content of free fatty acid (FFA) after incubation was greater in subcutaneous fat from fasted cats as compared to that in fed cats, but fasting did not significantly affect the content of FFA in orbital or paw fat. Incubating in the presence of adrenaline and noradrenalin stimulated the release of FFA in all the adipose tissues studied, but to different degrees. The effect of noradrenalin on the FFA content of orbital fat was very small, while that on patv fat was slightly greater. Subcutaneous fat showed the greatest stimulation by noradrenalin. Adrenalin caused only a small increase in the release of FFA in orbital fat, but a great increase in paw fat. The uptake of labeled palmitic acid, by amentum was rapid, and instant esterification occurred. However, these processes xoere exceedingly slow in orbital fat and intermediate in rate in paw fat. A consistant finding with respect to all the parameters studied was that orbital fat is considerably less metabolically active than other adipose tissues.