In vivo effects of corticotropin-releasing hormone on femoral adipose tissue metabolism in women.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether i.v. injected corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) (1 microg/kg) has a direct effect on adipose tissue metabolism in humans.


METHODS
Double-blinded, placebo-controlled, crossover study.


METHODS
Twelve healthy normal weight female volunteers (age 20-37 years, body mass index: 22.75+/-1.33 kg/m(2))


METHODS
Assessment of local generation of glycerol, and glucose in adipose tissue by microdialysis. Measurement of adipose tissue and skin blood flow by laser Doppler flowmetry.


RESULTS
Injection of CRH acutely increases interstitial concentrations of glycerol (19.0+/-5.4%, P<0.05) and glucose (13.5+/-5.8%, P<0.05) reaching peak levels after 15 min. Plasma glycerol increases in parallel (Delta=16.7+/-5.9% after 15 min (P<0.05)), whereas plasma glucose remains unaffected. Changes in tissue blood flow do not explain interstitial metabolite alterations. Initial CRH effects on adipose tissue metabolism are short lasting and disappear after 15 min.


CONCLUSIONS
The importance of CRH on human energy metabolism is underlined by the present in vivo study demonstrating peptidergic effects on lipolysis and glucose homeostasis in human subcutaneous adipose tissue.
Wellhöner
P
P
Department of Internal Medicine I, Universitaetsklinikum Schleswig Holstein-Campus Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany. peter.wellhoener@innere1.uni-luebeck.de
Welzel
M
M
Rolle
D
D
Dodt
C
C
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000098:blood supply / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005947:Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D005990:Glycerol / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D017551:Microdialysis / Q000379:methods; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000187:drug effects; D012867:Skin / Q000098:blood supply
D001786:Blood Glucose; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; D005947:Glucose; D005990:Glycerol