title: Effects of cortisol on lipolysis and regional interstitial glycerol levels in humans.
abstract: Cortisol's effects on lipid metabolism are controversial and may involve stimulation of both lipolysis and lipogenesis. This study was undertaken to define the role of physiological hypercortisolemia on systemic and regional lipolysis in humans. We investigated seven healthy young male volunteers after an overnight fast on two occasions by means of microdialysis and palmitate turnover in a placebo-controlled manner with a pancreatic pituitary clamp involving inhibition with somatostatin and substitution of growth hormone, glucagon, and insulin at basal levels. Hydrocortisone infusion increased circulating concentrations of cortisol (888 +/- 12 vs. 245 +/- 7 nmol/l). Interstitial glycerol concentrations rose in parallel in abdominal (327 +/- 35 vs. 156 +/- 30 micromol/l; P = 0.05) and femoral (178 +/- 28 vs. 91 +/- 22 micromol/l; P = 0.02) adipose tissue. Systemic [(3)H]palmitate turnover increased (165 +/- 17 vs. 92 +/- 24 micromol/min; P = 0.01). Levels of insulin, glucagon, and growth hormone were comparable. In conclusion, the present study unmistakably shows that cortisol in physiological concentrations is a potent stimulus of lipolysis and that this effect prevails equally in both femoral and abdominal adipose tissue.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, University Hospital of Aarhus, Aarhus Kommunehospital, Denmark. cbd@dadlnet.dk
authors.forename: C B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Djurhuus
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Gravholt
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nielsen
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mengel
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Christiansen
authors.forename: O E
authors.initials: OE
authors.lastname: Schmitz
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Møller
mesh_terms: D000005:Abdomen; D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose; D002153:Calorimetry, Indirect; D005110:Extracellular Space / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D005215:Fasting / Q000378:metabolism; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified / Q000097:blood; D005934:Glucagon / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood; D005990:Glycerol / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007328:Insulin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood; D008066:Lipolysis / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D017551:Microdialysis; D010168:Palmitates / Q000378:metabolism; D013004:Somatostatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013848:Thigh
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified; D007328:Insulin; D010168:Palmitates; D013004:Somatostatin; D013006:Growth Hormone; D005934:Glucagon; D005990:Glycerol; D006854:Hydrocortisone