Thyroid status and adenosine content of adipose tissue.

Fat-cells from hypothyroid rats lack the normal lipolytic response to catecholamines. We have suggested that this is due to increased sensitivity to the inhibitory actions of endogenous adenosine. In this paper we present evidence that thyroid hormones increase adipose-tissue adenosine contents and suggest that the increased sensitivity to adenosine in hypothyroidism is due to relief from desensitization by endogenous adenosine.