Effect of hypothermia on lipolytic processes in blood and adipose tissue of rat.

Short-lasting hypothermia raises the FFA level in the blood and this rise is associated with increased lipid-mobilizing activity and higher lipolytic activity of the serum. Raised FFA level and increased lipid-mobilizing activity of the serum persist even when the degree of general anaesthesia is sufficient for preventing thermogenesis signs (shivering and piloerection) caused by falling body temperature. Beta-adrenergic blockade fails to abolish the effect of lipolysis activation caused by hypothermia. These observations suggest that during hypothermia in the blood of the animals appear factors stimulating lipolysis in the adipose tissue. One of these factors may stimulate tissue lipolysis independently of beta-adrenergic receptors. Insulin blocks significantly lipolytic processes in the adipose tissue of hypothermic animals, but its administration is connected with the danger of hypoglycaemia development.