The influence of pituitary hormones and norepinephrine on the size of adipose cells in organ culture

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Abstract
The technique of organ culture was used to test the effects of various pituitary hormones and norepinephrine on the size of brown and white adipose cells of mice. The hormonal effects were measured by means of histologic analysis and cell width measurements. A concentration of 10 μg/ml of somatotropin (STH), adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) or lipotropin (LPH) was sufficient to reduce the size and content of intracellular lipid in white fat cells while a concentration of 100 μg/ml was required for similar effects on brown fat cells. Norepinephrine, at concentrations of 0.1 μg/ml or 1.0 μg/ml, was sufficient to reduce markedly the size and lipid content of both types of adipose cells. On a molar basis, these hormones acted in a similar range of concentration. The reduction in size and amount of intracellular lipid in brown and white adipose cells by STH, ACTH, and LPH were prevented when combined with 10 μg/ml of insulin. Insulin prevented the lipid depletion effect of norepinephrine in brown but not white adipose cells.