The effect of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase on lipolysis in adipose tissue: an historical and comprehensive review

CONTEXT: Lipolysis is one of the most important pathways for energy management, its control in the adipose tissue (AT) is a potential therapeutic target for metabolic diseases. Adenosine Mono Phosphate-activated Protein Kinase (AMPK) is a key regulatory enzyme in lipids metabolism and a potential target for diabetes and obesity treatment. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this work is to analyse the existing information on the relationship of AMPK and lipolysis in the AT. METHODS: A thorough search of bibliography was performed in the databases Scopus and Web of Knowledge using the terms lipolysis, adipose tissue, and AMPK, the unrelated publications were excluded, and the documents were analysed. RESULTS: Sixty-three works were found and classified in 3 categories: inhibitory effects, stimulatory effect, and diverse relationships; remarkably, the newest researches support an upregulating relationship of AMPK over lipolysis. CONCLUSION: The most probable reality is that the relationship AMPK-lipolysis depends on the experimental conditions.