Effect of glycemic changes on lipolysis in sheep in vivo

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of glycemic changes on lipolysis in sheep. To prevent hyperglycemia from altering insulin concentrations and hypoglycemia from altering adrenomedullary hormonal secretion, the experiments were conducted in insulin-treated alloxan diabetic sheep whose adrenal glands were denervated. Hyperglycemia was associated with a reduction in glycerol concentrations and hypoglycemia with elevated glycerol. These changes in glycerol concentrations were independent of changes in plasma insulin, glucagon, catecholamine, and cortisol concentrations. It appears that change in glucose concentrations per se can alter lipolysis in sheep.