Depressed plasma FFA turnover rate in Cushing's syndrome.

The turnover rate of plasma FFA measured by constant infusion of albumin-complexed labeled palmitate in a group of 16 patients with Cushing's syndrome was significantly lower than in a group of 6 controls. Seven patients reexamined after correction of the hypercortisolism showed a normalization of the plasma FFA turnover rate. By contrast, 7 patients with simple obesity had a normal or increased plasma FFA turnover rate depending on the way this parameter is expressed.