Sympathetic control of white adipose tissue in lean and obese humans.
OBJECTIVE
To induce lipolysis, catecholamines could reach the adipocyte via the blood stream after being released from the adrenal medulla or, alternatively, via neuronal release in the vicinity of the fat cell. Sympatho-neuronal effects on fat tissue lipolysis have been demonstrated in experimental animal models. However, the role of sympathetic nerves in the control of lipolysis in human white adipose tissue, which is sparsely innervated, has not been clarified.


CONCLUSIONS
The present review summarizes evidence for a direct neuronal influence on lipolysis in humans.
Dodt
C
C
Department of Internal Medicine I, University of Lübeck, Germany.
Lönnroth
P
P
Wellhöner
J P
JP
Fehm
H L
HL
Elam
M
M
D000200:Action Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000502:physiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000378:metabolism; D005267:Femoral Nerve / Q000502:physiology; D005990:Glycerol / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008066:Lipolysis / Q000502:physiology; D009132:Muscles / Q000502:physiology; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000378:metabolism; D009765:Obesity / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010543:Peroneal Nerve / Q000502:physiology; D012879:Skin Physiological Phenomena; D013564:Sympathetic Nervous System / Q000502:physiology* / Q000503:physiopathology
D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; D005990:Glycerol; D009638:Norepinephrine; D004837:Epinephrine