OBJECTIVE: b-Adrenoceptor-mediated whole-body lipolysis is impaired in obesity. This study investigated whether local adipocyte b-adrenergic sensitivity and changes in nutritive blood flow in subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue contribute to this impaired response. METHODS: Three microdialysis probes were placed in the subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue of eight obese and nine lean men. Each probe was perfused with either 0.1, 1 and 10 mM isoprenaline; 1, 10 and 100 mM dobutamine or 1, 10 and 100 mM salbutamol, each dose for 45 min. RESULTS: At baseline, interstitial glycerol concentrations and ethanol out/in ratios were comparable between groups. During nonselective b-, b 1 -and b 2 -adrenergic stimulation, interstitial glycerol concentrations increased and ethanol out/in ratios decreased similarly in obese and lean men. CONCLUSION: The lipolytic and nutritive blood flow response to b 1 -b 2 -and nonselective b-adrenergic stimulation in situ is comparable in lean and obese male subjects. The present data suggest that a blunted b-adrenergic sensitivity of the fat cell and an impaired local nutritive blood flow response do not contribute to the previously reported diminished whole-body badrenoceptor-mediated lipolytic response in obese males.