Contribution of skeletal muscle and adipose tissue to adrenaline-induced thermogenesis in man

Elevated plasma adrenaline is known to increase whole body energy expenditure. We studied the thermogenic effect and the effects on substrate utilization in man during infusion of adrenaline. Two series were performed: in one series skeletal muscle metabolism was investigated and in another series subcutaneous adipose tissue metabolism was investigated. In both series Fick's principle was applied. Intravenous infusion increased blood flow, glucose uptake and oxygen uptake in both skeletal muscle and adipose tissue. It is concluded that skeletal muscle contributes about 40% and adipose tissue about 5% of the whole body adrenaline-induced thermogenesis.