The Role of Plasma Free Fatty Acids in Development of Fatty Liver

Role of dietary, adipose, and endogenously synthesized fatty acids in the pathogenesis of the alcoholic fatty liver.

“…Theoretically, a difference in the rate of hepatic metabolism of the various fatty acids could also lead to a difference in composition between liver and adipose tissue, though the fatty acid may originate from the depots. That such a factor, however, plays only a minor role is suggested by the fact that when fatty liver is produced through enhanced peripheral fat mobilization, after epinephrine for instance, fatty acids accumulating in the liver do indeed resemble adipose tissue (39). Barring the unlikely possibility that ethanol enhances selectively the oxidation of linoleate in the liver, the fact that the linoleate content of the fatty liver produced by ethanol and low-fat diets was one-fifth that of adipose tissue suggests that a large component of the fatty acids originated in the liver itself rather than from adipose stores.…”

Effects of prolonged ethanol intake in man: role of dietary adipose, and endogenously synthesized fatty acids in the pathogenesis of the alcoholic fatty liver.

“…Despite the difference in composition between the liver and adipose tissue fatty acids, it is conceivable that liver fatty acids could have derived from adipose tissue through a process of selective free fatty acid mobilization, or as a consequence of a difference in the rate of hepatic metabolism of the various fatty acids. That such factors, however, are not likely to play major roles is suggested by the fact that when a fatty liver is produced through enhanced peripheral fat mobilization, after epinephrine for instance, fatty acids accumulating in the liver do indeed resemble adipose tissue (22). Since the fatty acid composition of the fatty liver produced in rats by a large dose of ethanol differs from that after prolonged intake of more moderate amounts (1,(4)(5)(6) it is possible that in humans too, when very large quantities of ethanol are ingested, adipose tissue may play a greater role than in the present study.…”

Plasma lipids and urinary excretion of catecholamines in man during experimentally induced emotional stress, and their modification by nicotinic acid

“…This was considered necessary since the unpleasantness of the flush, if experienced during the actual experiment, might have an influence on stress-sensitive parameters included in this investigation. The last preexperimental dose was taken approximately 16 hr before the beginning of the experiment.…”

“…An increased mobilization of FFA from adipose tissue, e.g. by catecholamines, leads to a rise in the triglyceride content of the liver (15)(16)(17)(18) and plasma (15,18). Pro-longed treatment with catecholamines also leads to hyperlipoproteinemia.…”