Definition for Lipolysis
From Biology Forums Dictionary
Lipolysis plays a central role in the regulation of energy balance. Lipolysis is the process in which triglycerides are hydrolyzed into glycerol and free fatty acids. This process releases free fatty acids into the bloodstream where they may be either re-esterified by the adipocyte or travel to other tissues and exert other effects throughout the body. Elevated adipocyte lipolysis has been observed in obese and diabetic individuals. Excessive free fatty acid production is believed to contribute to insulin resistance in skeletal muscle that is observed in obesity. Hormone sensitive lipase is the rate-limiting enzyme catalyzing triglyceride breakdown.