Figure 9. A hypothetical process that involves AMPK in a feed-forward activation of TAG synthesis by adipocytes.

This proposes that NEFA in adipocytes derived from (1) the de novo synthesis of FAs, (2) from the activity of LPL or (3) from lipolytic turnover of existing stored TAG can activate AMPK. This then increases the transport into adipocytes of glucose which is a precursor for glycerol 3-phosphate, thereby facilitating the synthesis or resynthesis of stored TAG.