Effect of exercise on lipolysis in adipose tissue

Adipose tissue is a major source of nonesterified fatty acids, which are involved in the etiopathogenesis of several metabolic diseases. Mechanisms regulating the processes of lipolysis are of major importance because they represent potential drug targets. Physical exercise is a cost-effective prevention strategy and important therapy for civilization diseases and is an important physiological stimulus of lipolysis in adipose tissue. Besides the traditional role of catecholamines in the regulation of lipolysis, other recently described lipolytic factors, for example, atrial natriuretic peptide and IL-6, are discussed in the context of lipolysis. In vitro as well as in vivo studies provide a substantial amount of data, which are sometimes contradictory. Exercise modifies the functional balance between p and a adrenergic receptors, increases atrial natriuretic peptide-induced lipolysis and improves sensitivity of adipose tissue to insulin. Actual lipolytic rate is the summary of these complex interactions.