Journal of Lipid Research, Vol 20, 557-560, Copyright © 1979 by Lipid Research, Inc.
Continuous monitoring of free fatty acid release from adipocytes by pH- stat titration
NO Nilsson and P Belfrage
A methods for direct and continuous monitoring of free fatty acid release
in adipocyte suspensions is described. Using a pH-stat apparatus the
protons from the released free fatty acids are continuously titrated and
the accumulated amount of OH- added is monitored on a recorder against
time, the slope thus indicating the rate of free fatty acid release. Sinc
pH is kept constant, an incubation medium with a low buffering capacity can
be used, which gives the method a high sensitivity. Under the conditions
described, free fatty acid release from 5% of maximal norepinephrine
stumulation of rat adipocytes can be accurately measured and the kinetics
can be followed over extended periods of time.