The effects of fasting on the thermogenic, metabolic and cardiovascular responses to infused adrenaline

Abstract

The effects of fasting on the thermogenic, lipolytic and cardiovascular responses to adrenaline were examined in nine normal, young, non-obese subjects. Each subject attended for study after 12, 36 and 72 h fasting. After basal measurements adrenaline was infused at 25 ng/min per kg ideal body weight for 90 min. Fasting increased the thermogenic effect of the adrenaline (mean 14.6 (SE 1.7), 16.6 (SE 1.8), 22.6 (SE 1.6) J/min per kg fat-free mass after 12, 36 and 72 h fasting respectively; P < 0.001, ANOVA). Basal plasma palmitate turnover increased with duration of fasting (1.48 (SE 0.22), 1.95 (SE 0.34) and 2.26 (SE 0.33) mumol/min per kg body weight; P < 0.001, ANOVA), but the response to adrenaline was unaffected by fasting. The percentage values for basal plasma palmitate turnover oxidized were 44 (SE 2; 12 h), 46 (SE 5; 36 h) and 42 (SE 4)% (72 h). In response to adrenaline this percentage fell, suggesting that adrenaline infusion may favour intra-tissue lipid oxidation.