Lipoprotein lipase in adipose tissues of exercise-trained, cold-acclimated rats

The combined effects of exercise training and cold acclimation on serum lipids and on the activity of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) in epididymal white (WAT) and interscapular brown adipose tissues (BAT) of the rat were evaluated. Sedentary and exercise-trained (treadmill) rats were housed and trained at either 24 or 4 degrees C for 45 days. Although neither treatment given alone influenced serum total cholesterol, exercise training in the cold resulted in a 54% increase in this variable. Serum triglycerides were lowered to 80% of control values by exercise training and to 44% of control by cold acclimation. Both treatments resulted in lower insulin and thyroxine concentrations, while triiodothyronine levels were unaffected. Total LPL activity in WAT was increased twofold by exercise training at both temperatures, whereas cold acclimation stimulated WAT LPL activity to a lesser extent. Exercise training had no overall effect on LPL activity of BAT, whereas cold acclimation increased the latter in both sedentary (217%) and trained (420%) animals. These results emphasize the potential importance of LPL-mediated lipid assimilation in the metabolic events that lead to energy production in response to environmental stresses and lend support to the notion that the regulation of LPL activity is tissue specific.