Abstract
An investigation was made on the effect of prostaglandin (PG), a newly discovered acidic, fat soluble hormone-like substance on adipose tissue metabolism. For this purpose, the action of prostaglandin E1, A1, and F1α, was studied in an in vitro experiment with epididymal fat pad of rat, using the following parameters: 1) release of non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) and glycerol from the adipose tissue, and 2) glucose uptake by the adipose tissue.
Results obtained were as follows:
PG inhibits the basal release of NEFA and glycerol from adipose tissue, and antagonizes the lipolytic action of norepinephrine and glucagon. The intensity of the effect is as follows: PGE1>PGA1> PGE1α. No synergistic action was found between the lipolytic action of PG and insulin.
With regard to glucose uptake by the adipose tissue, but PG does not effect basal uptake, PGE1 and PGA1 promote the glucose uptake due to norepinephrine and glucagon.
At present, it is known that PG is derived, in the body, from essential fatty acids. Results of our investigation investigation indicate that PG antagonizes the activity of lipolytic hormones and that it also influences the carbohydrate metabolism in adipose tissue.
From the foregoing results it is inferred that PG has a subtle controlling effect on cellular metabolism by its close relation to adipose tissue metabolism.
