Research
Hormonal
Catecholamines (adrenaline and noradrenaline) stimulate lipolysis by binding to beta-adrenergic receptors, increasing cAMP, and activating Protein Kinase A (PKA) to phosphorylate Hormone-Sensitive Lipase (HSL) and Perilipin.
Physical activity and stress increase catecholamines, which directly trigger fat breakdown. This is the body's primary mechanism for mobilizing energy during exercise or fasting. The process involves breaking down triglycerides into fatty acids and glycerol for use by other organs.
StrongSupportsVERY_HIGH confidence
Upon binding to their ligand, beta-adrenergic receptors initiate the activation of the lipolytic cascade through the stimulation of cAMP production and subsequent activation of the cAMP-dependent PKA, which is followed by the phosphorylation of perilipin and HSL, ultimately leading to lipolysis stimulation.
Why this rating
This is a core, well-established mechanism reviewed in detail.
Source
Regulation of adipocyte lipolysis
Gema Frühbeck et al. · Nutrition Research Reviews · 2014
DOI 10.1017/s095442241400002x
narrative_reviewCited 427×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
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