Lipectomy influences white adipose tissue lipoprotein lipase activity and plasma triglyceride levels in ground squirrels.

Golden-mantled ground squirrels undergo marked fattening and fat depletion during the prehibernatory and hibernatory phases, respectively, of their annual body weight cycle. Fat regulation was studied by surgical removal (lipectomy) of most of the inguinal-subcutaneous, retroperitoneal, and parametrial fat depots from female squirrels during the weight-gain phase of the annual cycle. Seven weeks after surgery, body weights of lipectomized (Lipx) and Sham-Lipx squirrels were equivalent, although white adipose tissue was not completely recovered in Lipx animals. Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity was markedly elevated in subcutaneous adipose tissue of Lipx squirrels, but not in other depots. Plasma triglyceride (TG) levels also were higher in Lipx squirrels 7 weeks after surgery. Changes in LPL activity and plasma TG may contribute to body mass and lipid restoration following lipectomy.