CHLORPROPAMIDE AND LIPID METABOLISM OF RAT AND HUMAN ADIPOSE TISSUE IN VITRO¹

Abstract

Abstract. Lipolysis measured as glycerol release from rat adipose tissue in vitro was inhibited by chlorpropamide. This antilipolytic effect was independent of the addition of glucose to the incubation medium. At the same time chlorpropamide decreased the re‐esterification of FFA formed by lipolysis. This inhibitory effect was more pronounced in tissue incubated in medium with glucose present. Since lipolysis as well as re‐esterification of FFA is accelerated by glucose, present data would indicate that chlorpropamide primarily interferes with the glucose metabolism or the stimulatory action of glucose on the two pathways of the triglyceride‐FFA cycle. Chlorpropamide (1 mg/ml) had no effect on the glycerol release and lipogenesis of human omental tissue. The present findings lend no support to the recent theory that sulfonylureas decrease the plasma levels of FFA and glycerol in man by direct action of the drug on adipose tissue.