Inhibition of Free Fatty Acid Mobilization by Nicotinic Acid in Canine Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue in Situ: Combination of Lipolysis Inhibition and Increased Re‐esterification

Canine subcutaneous adipose tissue was isolated and auto‐perfused in situ. Nicotinic acid (NicA) (4 or 40 mg/kg intravenously caused an increased lactate release and/or a decreased pyruvate release from the tissue. Following the administration of the higher dose of NicA the glucose uptake was also enhanced. While there was no inhibition of basal lipolysis, basal FFA release was significantly reduced following the higher dose of NicA. Lipolysis induced by sympathetic nerve stimulation (4 Hz for 10 min.) was inhibited by 60‐80 per cent, while induced FFA release was inhibited by 90 per cent or more. This increase in re‐esterification was statistically significant. It is concluded that re‐esterification plays an important role in the FFA‐lowering effect of NicA.