Heat production by adipocytes from obese subjects before and after weight reduction.

Microcalorimetry has been employed to measure the heat production by adipocytes obtained by percutaneous biopsy from lean subjects and from obese subjects before and after weight reduction. Cellular heat production was significantly lower in obese than in lean subjects. After weight reduction cellular heat production increased in fat cells from the obese subjects but was still significantly lower than in cells from control subjects. A number of variables reflecting uptake and mobilization of depot fat have measured and correlated to the heat production values in the obese subjects. The findings are consistent with the view that a decreased total metabolic activity might contribute to the development or perpetuation of obesity.