Inhibition of lipolysis by oxytocin and vasopressin

The administration of 5 I. U. oxytocin (by quick infusion) or of 5 I. U. vasopressin-lysine (intramuscularly) to healthy subjects was followed by a significant decrease in the plasma non-esterified fatty acid level. We regard this as evidence of inhibition of basal lipolysis in the adipose tissue. Vasopressin also completely blocked an increase induced in the plasma non-esterified fatty acid level by activating hormone-sensitive lipase in the adipose tissue by the infusion of 0.5 mg noradrenaline.