Mechanism of lipolysis induced by electrical stimulation of the hypothalamus in the rabbit.

Electrical stimulation of the ventro-medial hypothalamus of the rabbit elevated plasma glycerol concentration. This elevation was suppressed by treatments of the animals with hexamethonium and propranolol, or by adrenalectomy, but was not suppressed by treatments with atropine and phentolamine. These results would indicate that the effect of electrical stimulation of ventro-medial hypothalamus is mainly mediated by catecholamine(s) liberated from the adrenal medulla and acts on beta-receptor of adipose tissue.