Changes in lipolysis in rat adipose tissue during continuous irradiation

Changes in lipolysis was monitored by measuring the release of non-esterified fatty acids and glycerol under basal conditions and after stimulation with L-noradrenaline in rat adipose tissue in the course of continuous irradiation with daily gamma exposure doses of 0.57 Gy (60R) for 50 days. As compared with the control animals, lipolysis in the irradiated rats was lower on days 3-14, and higher on day 21-25-32 and at the end of the screening period (day 50) of continuous irradiation. The changes in lipolysis in the course of irradiation reflected individual stages of the general adaptation syndrome (Selye 1950). Many changes were modified by the effect of non-specific factors due to the experimental field and the starvation prior to the analysis. Changes in lipolysis were connected with changes in the mobilization of fatty acids and the concentrations of NEFA in white adipose tissue with changes in serum lipids predominantly in the period of 21-25 days of continuous irradiation.