INFLUENCE OF ADRENOCORTICOTROPIC HORMONE ON COMPOSITION OF NON-ESTERIFIED FATTY ACIDS IN NORMAL HUMAN PLASMA

Analyses of the fatty acid composition of human plasma non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) were performed by gas chromatography before and after adrenocorticotropic hormone infusions. The results obtained indicate a significant increase of NEFA, especially of the unsaturated fraction; fatty acid composition of mobilized NEFA differed from that of adipose tissue; it appears that ACTH-sensitive lipase is not the only factor involved in this phenomenon; this hormone is indeed relatively specific for the 1- and 3-triglyceride ester linkages. Therefore, other metabolic pathways are involved, such as monoglyceride lipase and phospholipase activities, undoubtedly associated with selective binding by liver and other tissues. © 1968.