Action of aldehydes on lipolysis and glucose metabolism in rat adipose tissue

Abstract

In order to test whether the lipolytic activity is a common feature of aldehydes, we studied the action of different aldehydes (propionaldehyde, butyraldehyde, glycolaldehyde and benzaldehyde) as well as of a ketonic compound (acetone) on lipolysis in rat adipose tissue “in vitro”. Contrarily to acetone, all the aldehydes tested increase the rate of lipolysis, this effect being more effective in tissue removed from fed than from fasted animals. Exposure of adipose tissue to aldehydes produces a marked decrease of both tissue glucose uptake and pyruvate output, whereas it stimulates lactate output. The lactate/pyruvate ratio is, consequently, strikingly increased in the medium. The mechanism of the activating effect of aldehydes on the lipolytic system in adipose tissue is discussed.