Changes in activity of lipoprotein lipase, plasma free fatty acids and triglycerides with weight loss in a cachexia model.

The effect of weight loss during cancer cachexia on the plasma levels of free fatty acids (FFA) and triglycerides, and on the tissue levels of lipoprotein lipase (LPL), has been studied in mice bearing an experimental colon adenocarcinoma (MAC16). Despite extensive mobilisation of host body fat reserves, plasma levels of triglycerides were reduced irrespective of the extent of weight loss. The plasma levels of FFA also showed an initial decrease with weight loss, followed by a rise peaking at a weight loss of about 2 g, and thereafter the levels decreased with increasing weight loss. The level of LPL in both heart and adipose tissue showed an initial rise with increasing weight loss also peaking at a weight loss of approximately 2.5 g, followed by a decrease with further weight loss. The increased LPL would provide an increased level of fatty acids for oxidation in the cachectic state and would account for the effect on plasma FFAs and triglycerides.