Effects of epinephrine and norepinephrine on lipid metabolism of the rat

Abstract

Administration of either epinephrine or norepinephrine was found to have little or no effect upon the intestinal absorption of cholesterol, phospholipid or triglyceride. Similarly administration of either catecholamine did not appear to affect the hepatic metabolism of cholesterol as judged by cholesterol and cholate analyses of bile. Starved animals infused with either catecholamine failed to exhibit any serum change in cholesterol or phospholipid. However, a modest rise in triglyceride was observed either 12 or 24 hours after infusion. If the animals were fed cholesterol and triglyceride, a slight rise in all serum lipids was observed at the end of 24 hours of infusion. Animals injected thrice weekly with either epinephrine or norepinephrine in oil for a period of 120 days exhibited approximately the same serum lipid values as the control animals. The conclusion is reached that little or no permanent effect on the lipid metabolism of the rat is achieved by administration of either catecholamine.