Plasma lipid changes induced by epinephrine

Formulas containing varying amounts of fat and qualitatively different patternsof fatty acids were fed to premature infants, and the effects on subcutaneous fat and plasma lipid composition were observed before and after administration of epinephrine. Composition of subcutaneous fat and plasma lipids, with the exception of phospholipids, resembled dietary fat within about 4 weeks. After administration of epinephrine, compositional changes were observed in all the fractions. There appeared to be a preferential release of unsaturated fatty acids; changes in esterified fractions are interpreted as due to enhancement of transesterification reactions following release of free fatty acids.