Lipoprotein lipase at onset of obesity induced in rats by a high-fat diet.

Obesity is detectable in adult male Wistar rats three weeks after initiation of a high-fat diet. Although there was an immediate increase in muscle lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity, and a progressive adaptative response in adipose tissue leading to inhibition of de-novo lipogenesis, loss of insulin sensitivity and decreased functional LPL activity, the ensuing reorientation of lipid metabolism failed to prevent obesity. It is concluded that there is no fixed relationship between enlargement of adipose tissue and LPL activity in this tissue, at onset of obesity.