Biochemistry
Lipolysis
Definition
Lipolysis is the metabolic process by which stored triglycerides in adipocytes are hydrolyzed into free fatty acids and glycerol for use as energy substrates. The process is regulated by hormones (catecholamines, insulin, growth hormone, natriuretic peptides) and intracellular enzymes including adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL), hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL), and monoacylglycerol lipase (MGL). Activation of the cAMP/PKA signaling pathway by beta-adrenergic stimulation or growth hormone is a primary driver of lipolysis. The peptide fragment AOD-9604, derived from the C-terminal region of human growth hormone, has been investigated for its lipolytic activity without the diabetogenic effects associated with full-length GH.