Effect of insulin on free fatty acid uptake by hepatocytes in the duck

To elucidate the hypolipacidaemic effect of insulin in ducks, its action on the uptake of free fatty acids (FFA) by duck hepatocytes was determined. At low doses (10 mu./l) insulin stimulated FFA uptake. This effect was not observed with higher doses of insulin (20, 30 and 50 mu./l). Growth hormone at physiological concentrations and corticosterone (14.4 nmol/l) decreased basal activity, probably by reducing glucose metabolism and consequently alpha-glycerophosphate (alpha-GP) supply. Insulin was able to reverse the inhibition induced by GH and corticosterone on both FFA uptake and alpha-GP production. These results therefore suggest that the hypolipacidaemic effect of insulin may be partly mediated by its action on hepatic FFA uptake.