Metabolism of Free Fatty Acids in Obese Humans. ∗

Abstract

Summary

To study the metabolism of FFA in obese patients compared to normal subjects, measurements were made of recovery of expired C¹⁴O₂ from oxidation of 10 μc of albumin-bound 1-C¹⁴ palmitate. Specific activity of C¹⁴O₂ was normal in 5 moderately obese women. The response to glucose administration was abnormal in 4 of 5 obese patients who failed to show the usual marked decrease in C¹⁴O₂ specific activity. In contrast, glucose elicited the usual fall in serum FFA. These findings suggest that the adipose tissue response to glucose is normal but there is a defect in the mechanism by which glucose diverts FFA from oxidation to storage in muscle and liver. It is suggested that adaptation to fat utilization might explain the defect.