Deuterium oxide stimulates glucose metabolism and inhibits lipolysis in rat epididymal adipose tissue.

Incubation of segments of rat epididymal adipose tissue in media prepared with deuterium oxide results in increased glucose oxidation, increased lipogenesis, accelerated sugar transport and decreased lipolysis in response to epinephrine or theophylline. In view of the well documented action of heavy water to “stabilize” cytoplasmic microtubules, the foregoing observations are in support of a link between cytoplasmic microtubules and metabolic process in adipose tissue.