Impact of exercise on adipose tissue metabolism in humans

Mobilization of lipids from adipose tissue during prolonged exercise is of key importance for the supply of energy to the working muscle. During exercise lipid mobilization is mainly stimulated by increased catecholamine production leading to acceleration of the beta-adrenoceptor mediated lipolysis rate in fat cells. This causes breakdown of triglycerides in fat cells to glycerol and free fatty acids, which then are delivered to the blood stream. Decreased insulin production, enhanced adipose tissue blood flow and decreased reesterification of free fatty acids in fat cells contribute to the enhancement of lipid mobilization during strenuous and long-term light exercise. Several additional factors modulate the lipolytic response to exercise as well. Endurance training increases the lipolytic action of catecholamine whereas the opposite occurs during ageing. These alterations are at least in part mediated by changes in the function of the final step in lipolysis activation, the protein kinase-hormone sensitive lipase complex. There are also gender and regional differences in the lipolytic response to exercise. Women mobilize more lipids from the subcutaneous abdominal area than men, whereas a low rate of lipid mobilization from the peripheral subcutaneous areas is observed in either sex. In pathophysiological states, which are associated with catabolism such as fasting and insulin dependent diabetes, there is an enhanced lipolytic response to exercise, because of increased beta-adrenoceptor function.