Reduced thermic effect of feeding in obesity: role of norepinephrine

Several studies have suggested that obese subjects have a reduced thermic effect of feeding when compared to normal weight controls. The present study was undertaken to further define this apparent abnormality, and evaluate the role of norepinephrine in the thermic response to food. A test formula meal of 800 calories (85% carbohydrate, 15% protein) was taken by 7 control and 6 moderately obese subjects whose obesity was adult in onset. The rise in resting oxygen consumption following the test meal was greater in the control than in the obese group (p less than 0.01), and there was a significant inverse correlation between the relative degree of obesity and this response to feeding (r = -0.59, p less than 0.05). Norepinephrine concentrations were greater in the obese than in the control group both before (p less than 0.05) and after (p less than 0.05) feeding. No correlations were found between the plasma norepinephrine concentrations and the rise in oxygen consumption after feeding. Four of the 6 obese subjects were restudied after weight reduction. The reduced-obese group showed a trend toward normalization of basal measurements and responses to feeding. It is concluded that the reduced thermic response to feeding seen in the obese subjects studied cannot be directly accounted for by diminished sympathetic nervous system activity as reflected by plasma levels of norepinephrine.