The adipokinetic action of polypeptide and amine hormones upon the adipose tissue of various animal species

A d i p o k i n e t icy, signifies the capacity of a sub-' stance to cause the release of triglyceridestored inadipose tissue, with subsequent transport of the mobilized lipid by the blood to other organs of the body.The concept that certain hormones possess adipokinetic activity' was introduced by the investigations of Best, Barrett, and co-workers (1, 2), and of Stetten and Salcedo (3) during the period 1936-1944.These investigators described a redistribution of triglyceride from adipose tissue to the liver in rats and in mice injected with pituitary extract.Further research on this subject has proceeded in three phases :(a) From 1949 to 1957, studies were made on the adipokinetic activity of various pituitary fractions, as measured by the capacity of each to cause an increase in the hepatic lipids of susceptible species2 (4-9).The production of fatty liver in certain species by epinephrine was also demonstrated (review [ 101).( b ) I n 1956, Gordon and Cherkes (11) and Dole (12) presented evidence that triglyceride is mobilized from adipose tissue in the form of unesterified (free) fatty acids (FFA), which circulate as an albumin-FFA complex.It was then found that the catechol amines (11, 12) and certain pituitary hormones (13-15) cause an acute rise in circulating FFA level in intact animals of susceptible species.