Increased adipose tissue lipoprotein lipase activity during the development of the genetically obese rat (fa/fa)

Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) enzyme activity in epididymal adipose tissue from obese and lean Zucker rats was measured. At 5, 10, 13, and 20 wk of age obese rats have heavier fat pads, larger fat cells, and more LPL per epididymal fat pad and per fat cell than do their lean littermate controls. Although LPL per fat cell increased as fat cell size increased in lean rats, the increased LPL activity in the obese could not be attributed solely to increased fat cell size. When obese and lean rats had similar cell sizes, LPL per fat cell was still significantly increased in the obese compared to lean. Furthermore LPL activity was increased in "preobese" (fa/fa) rats compared to either lean genotype (Fa/fa or Fa/Fa) during the second postnatal week. The data suggest that early increments in LPL activity in adipose tissue of the "pre-obese" rat may significantly contribute to the early fat cell hypertrophy seen during the development of this genetic obesity. Furthermore, early increased LPL activity may prove useful as a predictor of the onset of obesity.