Lipoprotein-lipase Activity in Subcutaneous, Adipose Tissue in Healthy Subjects

Abstract

The lipoprotein-lipase activity (LPLA) in the abdominal, subcutaneous, adipose tissue was studied in a random sample (n=69) of 60-year-old men. A new method for the quantification of LPLA was applied. The mean value was 67 mU/g when expressed per gram (wet weight) of adipose tissue. Several subjects within the lower part of the range of adipose-tissue LPLA values had low concentrations of serum-triglycerides (S-TG). There was no correlation between the LPLA and S-TG concentrations in the fasting state. Among the 69 subjects, four had newly detected diabetes mellitus and had significantly lower LPLA in the adipose tissue than the control group. The fat-cell size and the LPLA per gram of adipose tissue were not correlated. Thus, obesity without diabetes mellitus does not imply a low LPLA concentration in adipose tissue. The variation of the concentration of adipose-tissue LPLA in the fasting state in this population was explained only to a minor extent by the variation of S-insulin and blood-glucose parameters, when analysed statistically by a stepwise multiple-regression technique.