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Three diets, consisting respectively of formulations high in oleic and stearic acid, linolenic acid, and lauric acid, were fed to rats until the adipose tissue TGFA largely reflected the dietary pattern of fatty acids. The composition of the serum FFA under basal conditions and following noradrenaline-stimulated lipolysis, were examined in relation to the respective adipose tissue TGFA. It was found in both in vivo and in vitro studies that lauric acid appeared to be less easily mobilized than longer chain acids. The in vitro studies indicated that this could not be explained either by positional preference of the shorter chain acids for the alpha-position of esterification or by increased reesterification of the shorter chain acids. The possibility remains that the difference is due to some specificity of tissue lipases for certain ester linkages.

The effects of nicotinic acid on plasma free fatty acid levels and turnover and on plasma glycerol levels were studied in the first few hours after administration to man and the sheep. In both species a fall in all parameters studied was followed by a rise above basal level, interpreted as due to an increase in lipolysis above resting level. The significance of the findings is discussed.