The effect of dietary lipids on lipolysis in rat adipose tissue

1. Rats were fed for 8 weeks on one of five diets differing in the amount of fatty acids 18:1, 18:2 and 18:3. Lipolysis, in vitro, of epididymal fat from fed and fasted rats was measured both basally and in the presence of noradrenaline with and without prostaglandin E1. 2. Lipolysis was markedly influenced by the type of dietary fat. In particular, lipolysis in adipose tissue from rats given diets rich in the fatty acid 18:3 was higher than in the rats given diets containing 18:2. 3. Results showing the effects of fasting on adipose tissue lipolysis are also presented. 4. The results are discussed in relation to the known effects of unsaturated fats on hyperplasia and protein synthesis in adipose tissue and on the possible role of prostaglandins.