Dissociation of lipolysis from the levels of cyclic AMP in rat epididymal fat cells.

Two compounds, theophylline and 8-aza-9-furfuryl-adenine (SQ 4665), were found to maximally stimulate lipolysis in preparations of rat epididymal fat cells in the absence of exogenous hormones. Cyclic AMP levels in lipocytes maximally stimulated by either agent alone were unchanged from control levels. In contrast, lipolysis stimulated by either epinephrine alone or in combination with several cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase inhibitors correlated well with increases in the levels of cyclic AMP observed. These results suggest the presence of a non-cyclic AMP dependent pathway for the stimulation of lipolysis in rat epididymal fat cells.