Response of white adipocyte of mouse and rabbit to catecholamines and ACTH

Summary Hormone stimulated lipolysis of mouse and rabbit adipocytes as measured by both free fatty acid and glycerol release, is proportionally elevated with increase in the adipocyte cAMP level up to 1 nmole/g. The correlation coefficients are 0.94 and 0.97 for FFA/cAMP and glycerol/cAMP respectively. Increments in cAMP greater than 1 nmole/g show no correlation with increase in lipolysis. The release of lipolytic products, glycerol and free fatty acids, from white adipocytes in response to ACTH, epinephrine or morepinephrine was measured using radiochemical assays in short term incubation systems, with cAMP levels measured at the same time and from the same cell sample. Under the conditions studied, epinephrine is a more effective lipolytic hormone than ACTH in mouse adipocyte, and ACTH is more effective than epinephrine in rabbit adipocyte. The effect of catecholamines on the rabbit adipocyte is not modified by phentolamine (10 μM), but it is potentiated by 1-methyl-3-isobutyl xanthine (0.1 mM). The results suggest that cAMP mediates the action of these lipolytic hormones in white adipocytes of mouse and rabbit.     

Hormone-sensitive particulate cAMP phosphodiesterase activity in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Regulation of responsiveness by dexamethasone

Confluent 3T3-L1 fibroblasts incubated for 72 h with methylisobutylxanthine, dexamethasone, and insulin differentiate and acquire phenotypic characteristics of mature adipocytes, including hormone-sensitive cAMP phosphodiesterase activity located in a particulate fraction of homogenates. About 10 days after initiating differentiation, a maximally effective concentration of insulin (100 pM) increased particulate cAMP phosphodiesterase activity 40 to 60% in 8 min; activation persisted for at least 30 min in the presence of insulin. Incubation of adipocytes for 6-8 min with agents that increased cAMP, e.g. 1 microM epinephrine, 0.1 microM isoproterenol, corticotropin (2 mu units/ml), or thyroid-stimulating hormone (15 ng/ml), also increased particulate phosphodiesterase activity 40-60%. Changes in phosphodiesterase activity produced by epinephrine tended to lag behind changes in cAMP. Insulin, epinephrine, and corticotropin increased Vmax, not Km (0.5 microM), for cAMP. Particulate phosphodiesterase activity, solubilized with detergent, eluted in a single peak from DEAE-Bio-Gel. Insulin and epinephrine increased the activity eluted in this peak. Neither insulin nor lipolytic hormones increased activity in soluble fractions from differentiated cells or particulate or soluble fractions from undifferentiated cells. Incubation of adipocytes for 48 h with 1 microM dexamethasone prevented insulin-induced activation of the particulate phosphodiesterase and did not alter basal activity. After incubation for 72 h with 0.1 microM dexamethasone, insulin and epinephrine activation were abolished. These effects of dexamethasone on hormonal regulation of particulate phosphodiesterase activity could account for some of the so-called permissive effects of glucocorticoids on cAMP-mediated processes as well as the "anti-insulin" effects of glucocorticoids.     

Inhibition of epinephrine-induced lipolysis in isolated white adipocytes of aging rabbits by increased alpha-adrenergic responsiveness.

The aim of this study was to explain the unresponsiveness of rabbit perirenal adipose tissue to epinephrine. The in vitro lipolytic response to isoproterenol and to epinephrine alone or associated with alpha- or beta-adrenergic blocking agents, was studied in the adipocytes of rabbits of various ages. Epinephrine induces a large glycerol release in young rabbit adipocytes whereas an increase in the rate of lipolysis cannot be shown with adult rabbit fat cells. Moreover, an antilipolytic effect can be shown for low concentrations of epinephrine when the basal rate of lipolysis is high in older rabbit adipocytes. Isoproterenol (beta-adrenomimetic) always exerts a strong adipokinetic effect, thus revealing functional beta-receptor sites. The blockade of alpha-adreneoceptor sites by phentolamine, which has no effect on young rabbits, abolishes the antilipolytic effect and unmasks strong lipolytic effect of epinephrine on aged and normal rabbit adipocytes. The loss of beta-adrenergic responsiveness towards epinephrine in the aging rabbit is linked to the involvement of an increased alpha-adrenergic responsiveness. The stimulation of alpha receptor sites by epinephrine leads to a depressive effect on lipolysis (lack of adipokinetic effect or antilipolytic action).     

Effects of guinea pig vasoactive intestinal peptide on the isolated perfused guinea pig heart

The pharmacological effects of guinea pig vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) were studied in isolated perfused guinea pig hearts. Bolus injections of VIP produced a dose-dependent tachycardia that was not affected by atenolol. A decrease in amplitude of ventricular contractions occurred in response to all doses of VIP. This response was preceded by a small increase in amplitude in 3 of 6 hearts at the highest dose. VIP produced a decrease in perfusion pressure which was prominent after coronary tone was elevated with [Arg8]-vasopressin. The present findings support speculation that VIP may have a role in the regulation of heart rate and coronary blood flow.     

Glucose metabolism in isolated fat cells: enhanced response of larger adipocytes from older rats to epinephrine and adrenocorticotropin.

The effects of insulin and of two lipolytic hormones (epinephrine and ACTH1) on the rate and pattern of glucose metabolism were compared during incubation of isolated fat cells, obtained from epididymal fat pads of rats of varying age and degrees of adiposity. Glucose metabolism and the intracellular free fatty acid levels were expressed on a per cell basis and in relation to adipocyte size. The data for total glucose metabolism show that, in contrast to the declining insulin effect observed with adipocyte enlargement, the stimulation of glucose uptake and metabolism by these lipolytic hormones was significantly greater in the larger fat cells from the older fatter rats than in the smaller ones from the younger leaner rats. Lipolytic hormones suppressed, whereas insulin enhanced, fatty acid synthesis; moreover the lipolytic hormones stiumlated glucose ce effect of epinephrine on the intracellular free fatty acid levels was greater in the small fat cells than in the large ones; this effect of epinephrine was markedly curtained by the presence of glucose in the incubation medium, making it unlikely that acceleration of glucose metabolism by the lipolytic stimulus was mediated by an elevation of the intracellular free fatty acid level. The present results show a markedly enhanced capacity of the large adipocytes to accelerate glucose metabolism in response to these liplytic hormones. Thus, in contrast to prevailing notions of declining hormonal responsiveness with expanding fat cell size in older and more obese animals, this study documents an instance of increased hormonal response in enlarged adipocytes and points to the need for a more comprehensive reevaluation of the various hormonal effects in adipocytes of different size.     

Comparison of the lipolytic activity of adipocytes isolated from white adipose tissue in Zucker and Wistar rats. In vitro effects of 3,5,3'-triiodo-L-thyronine

The in vitro effects of 3,5,3'-triiodo-L-thyronine (L-T3) on (-) epinephrine stimulated lipolytic activity were studied in adipocytes isolated from white adipose tissue of Zucker and Wistar male rats. Basic lipolytic activity was small and nearly insensitive to epinephrine in Zucker genetically obese rats. On the other hand, lipolytic activity was stimulated by epinephrine in Zucker lean rats and Wistar rats in the same way. There was no synergistic interaction between epinephrine and L-T3 on lipolytic activity, since the released glycerol levels were nearly the same. These data corroborate the hypothyroid status of Zucker genetically obese rats.     

Forskolin as a novel lipolytic agent

Forskolin is a novel lipolytic agent which elevates cAMP and FFA release in rat adipocytes in a manner different from existing lipolytic factors. This effect of Forskolin is potentiated by all lipolytic hormones tested, i.e. epinephrine, ACTH, and glucagon and is also reversible. The same batch of adipocytes can be repeatedly stimulated after washing. The effective concentration of Forskolin is in the micromolar range. Its action is due to an activation of cAMP synthesis by adenylate cyclase. There is no effect on cAMP hydrolysis. In contrast to stimulation by lipolytic hormones, Forskolin-activated membrane adenylate cyclase was not further stimulated by GPP(NH)P. These results suggest that Forskolin may be a useful analytical agent in the study of adenylate cyclase mediated function in intact adipocytes.     

Effect of GLP-1 on lipid metabolism in human adipocytes.

We have studied the effect of several doses of GLP-1, compared to that of insulin and glucagons, on lipogenesis, lipolysis and cAMP cellular content, in human adipocytes isolated from normal subjects. In human adipocytes, GLP-1 exerts a dual action, depending upon the dose, on lipid metabolism, being lipogenic at low concentrations of the peptide (ED50, 10(-12) M), and lipolytic only at doses 10-100 times higher (ED50, 10(-10) M); both effects are time- and GLP-1 concentration-dependent. The GLP-1 lipogenic effect is equal in magnitude to that of equimolar amounts of insulin; both hormones apparently act synergically, and their respective action is abolished by glucagon. The lipolytic effect of GLP-1 is comparable to that of glucagon, apparently additive to it, and the stimulated value induced by either one is neutralized by the presence of insulin. In the absence of IBMX, GLP-1, at 10(-13) and 10(-12) M, only lipogenic doses, does not modify the cellular content of cAMP, while from 10(-11) M to 10(-9) M, also lipolytic concentrations, it has an increasing effect; in the presence of IBMX, GLP-1 at already 10(-12) M increased the cellular cAMP content. In human adipocytes, GLP-1 shows glucagon- and also insulin-like effects on lipid metabolism, suggesting the possibility of GLP-1 activating two distinct receptors, one of them similar or equal to the pancreatic one, accounting cAMP as a second messenger only for the lipolytic action of the peptide.     

Peptide hormones and lipolysis in rabbit adipocytes

Fifty peptides and hormones from the hypophysis, hypothalamus, gastrointestinal tract and from other origins were tested for lipolytic activity in the isolated rabbit fat cell. Eight peptides derived from the precursor hormone proopiocortin stimulated glycerol release while all the other peptides and hormones showed no lipolytic activity. The most potent lipolytic peptide was alpha-MSH which also had the lowest minimal effective dose, followed by beta-lipotropin, ACTH and beta-MSH. The lipolytic activity was not influenced by the use of different collagenases or the cells from different breeds of rabbits.     

Mechanism of activation of adenylate cyclase by Vibrio cholerae enterotoxin. Relations to the mode of activation by hormones.

The influence of Vibrio cholerae enterotoxin (choleragen) on the response of adenylate cyclase to hormones and GTP, and on the binding of 125I-labeled glucagon to membranes, has been examined primarily in rat adipocytes, but also in guinea pig ileal mucosa and rat liver. Incubation of fat cells with choleragen converts adenylate cyclase to a GTP-responsive state; (-)-isoproterenol has a similar effect when added directly to membranes. Choleragen also increases by two- to fivefold the apparent affinity of (-)-isoproterenol, ACTH, glucagon, and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide for the activation of adenylate cyclase. This effect on vasoactive intestinal polypeptide action is also seen with the enzyme of guinea pig ileal mucosa; the toxin-induced sensitivity to VIP may be relevant in the pathogenesis of cholera diarrhea. The apparent affinity of binding of 125I-labeled glucagon is increased about 1.5- to twofold in choleragen-treated liver and fat cell membranes. The effects of choleragen on the response of adenylate cyclase to hormones are independent of protein synthesis, and they are not simply a consequence to protracted stimulation of the enzyme in vivo or during preparation of the membranes. Activation of cyclase in rat erythrocytes by choleragen is not impaired by agents which disrupt microtubules or microfilaments, and it is still observed in cultured fibroblasts after completely suppressing protein synthesis with diphtheria toxin. Choleragen does not interact directly with hormone receptor sites. Simple occupation of the choleragen binding sites with the analog, choleragenoid, does not lead to any of the biological effects of the toxin.     

Purification and amino acid sequence of vasoactive intestinal peptide, peptide histidine isoleucinamide (1-27) and secretin from the small intestine of guinea pig

The neuropeptides vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and peptide histidine isoleucinamide (1-27) (PHI) and the hormone secretin were purified from the small intestine of guinea pig, being detected by radioimmunoassay and radioreceptor assay throughout six to seven chromatographic steps. After elution on a reverse-phase C18 column, the three peptides were separated on a Fractogel column. After cation-exchange chromatography of each peptide on Mono S, the final steps were performed using a reverse-phase RP8-e column. Guinea pig PHI differed from porcine PHI in having Tyr and Arg residues instead of Phe and Lys in, respectively, position 10 and 20. We confirmed the original sequence of guinea pig VIP previously documented (with Leu5, Thr9, Met19 and Val26). We also established the similarity of the primary structure of guinea pig secretin with that of porcine and bovine.     

A novel peptide, vasoactive intestinal contractor, of a new (endothelin) peptide family. Molecular cloning, expression, and biological activity

A new peptide family (endothelin (ET] consisting of three members in mammals appears to be present in mice according to genomic Southern blot analysis. Two ET-related genes were identified by cloning and sequence analysis of a mouse genome. One encoded a peptide identical to porcine and human vasoconstrictor peptide ET, and the other encoded a novel peptide differing from ET in 3 amino acid residues, with 4 cysteines in the same positions as in ET. This novel peptide was synthesized and confirmed to have in vivo pressor activity similar to that of ET. Northern blot analysis, however, indicated the gene of this novel peptide to be expressed only in the intestine, and not in other tissues or cell lines, or endothelial cells. Furthermore, the peptide evoked a strong contractile response in the guinea pig ileum. This peptide may thus be reasonably classified as a gastrointestinal peptide, vasoactive intestinal contractor.     

The effect of vasoactive intestinal peptide and calcitonin gene-related peptide on peptidoleukotriene release from platelet activating factor stimulated rat lungs and ionophore stimulated guinea pig lungs

The effect of four neuropeptides and acetylcholine on the release of leukotrienes LTC4, LTD4 and LTE4 from platelet activating factor-stimulated rat lung and ionophore A23187-stimulated guinea pig lung, as detected by the combined use of HPLC and radioimmunoassay, was studied. Both vasoactive intestinal peptide and calcitonin gene-related peptide were found to inhibit the release of leukotrienes in both preparations. This effect was most marked in platelet activating factor-stimulated rat lung, where inhibition of LTC4 release was more pronounced than either inhibition of LTD4 or LTE4 production. The effect of vasoactive intestinal peptide on LTC4 biosynthesis was dose-related in rat lung. Neither substance P nor beta-endorphin were found to inhibit leukotriene release in rat lung. Vasoactive intestinal peptide inhibition of leukotriene release is independent from its actions on the muscarinic receptor, since acetylcholine was found to have no effect in the same preparation.     

Adrenergic lipolysis in human fat cells: properties and physiological role of alpha-adrenergic receptors (author's transl)

Lipolytic activity of human isolated fat cells from different fat deposits was studied. The purpose of the present investigations was to determine the epinephrine responsiveness, with regard to alpha- and beta-adrenergic receptor site activity, of omental and subcutaneous adipocytes (abdominal or from the lateral part of the thigh). Adipocytes were obtained from normal subjects or from obese subjects on iso- or hypocaloric diets. The lipolytic effect of epinephrine varied according to the fat deposits, while the beta-lipolytic effect of isoproterenol was more stable (Fig. 1). We explored the possible involvement of adrenergic alpha-receptors, in order to explain these results. The potentiating action of phentolamine on epinephrine-induced lipolysis, and the antilipolytic effect of alpha-agonists on basal or theophylline--induced lipolysis, were found to be a good indication of alpha-adrenergic activity. The alpha-adrenergic antilipolytic effect was most prominent in adipose tissue from the lateral part of the thigh, and less noticeable in omental adipocytes. In conclusion, the inability of epinephrine to induce lipolysis, and the epinephrine-induced inhibition of lipolysis observed when the basal rate of FFA release was spontaneously increased in subcutaneous fat-cells of the thigh, could be explained by an increased alpha adrenergic responsiveness (Fig. 2). Moreover, various alpha-adrenergic agonists (phenylephrine, noradrenaline and adrenaline) showed a clear inhibiting effect on theophylline-stimulated adipocytes from the thigh. The pharmacological study of the antilipolytic effect of epinephrine on theophylline-induced lipolysis showed that the inhibition was linked to a specific stimulation of the alpha-receptors of the subcutaneous adipocytes (Fig. 4). From the different sets of experiments, it is shown that the modifications in the lipolytic effect of epinephrine on adipocytes of different areas could be explained by the occurrence of a variable alpha-adrenergic effect initiated by catecholamine. Furthermore, theophylline stimulation of lipolysis provides an accurate system to investigate the alpha-inhibiting effect of catecholamines. Our study was completed by the investigation of the lipolytic activity of subcutaneous fat cells from obese subjects submitted to a hypocaloric diet (800-1 000 Cal/day). An increased alpha-inhibitory effect of epinephrine was shown on the increased basal lipolytic activity observed in the fat cells of obese subjects on a hypocaloric diet (Fig. 5); a similar effect was observed when these adipocytes were stimulated by theophylline. To conclude, these investigations allow the alpha-adrenergic effect to be considered as a regulator mechanism of the in vitro lipolytic activity in human adipose tissue, since the antilipolytic effect is operative whenever the basal rate of lipolysis is increased (spontaneously, after caloric restriction, or with a lipolytic agent such as theophylline).     

A morphological and immunohistochemical investigation of guinea pig skin after the introduction of substance P and VIP

The aim of this study was to examine a morphological picture of guinea pig skin that had been injected with neuropeptides (NPS)(2)- substance P (SP) and guinea pig vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) - to elucidate their local influence. Routine histological stainings were performed, together with immunohistochemical reactions for T cells and for macrophages. In the deeper layers of the skin, T cell and macrophagic infiltrations were observed. The intensity of these changes was greater 24 hours after injections than that observed at the third hour of the experiment.     

Chemical coding of neurons projecting to pelvic viscera in the male guinea pig: a study by retrograde transport and immunohistochemistry

Summary Retrograde transport studies using Fast Blue dye demonstrated that the ductus deferens, seminal vesicle, prostate and rectum, but not the urinary bladder of the male guinea pig are at least in part innervated by the anterior major pelvic ganglion. In the ductus deferens, seminal vesicle and prostate innervation is derived from ipsilateral and contralateral ganglia. In addition to retrograde studies, dye-filled neurons were analysed immunohistochemically for neuronal markers and associations with specifically identified neuronal projections. Neurons of the ganglion projecting to the ductus deferens either contained tyrosine hydroxylase alone, tyrosine hydroxylase and neuropeptide Y, neuropeptide Y alone, neuropeptide Y and vasoactive intestinal peptide, or vasoactive intestinal peptide alone. These neurons were associated with three classes of neuronal projections, substance P-, leucine-enkephalin-, and methionine-enkephalin-immunoreactive. Neurons projecting to the seminal vesicles were similar to the neurons supplying the ductus deferens, except none of the seminal vesicle-specific neurons exhibited vasoactive intestinal peptide immunoreactivity. Neurons supplying the prostate were immunoreactive for either tyrosine hydroxylase or neuropeptide Y; these neurons were infrequently associated with the three classes of varicose neuronal projections. Neurons projecting to the rectum contained neuropeptide Y and were only associated with methionine-enkephalin immunoreactive neuronal projections in one animal.     

Synthesis and biological activity of ovine beta-lipotropin-(41--91)-henkaipentekontapeptide.

The 51-residue peptide ovine beta-lipotropin-(41--91) has been synthesized by the solid-phase method in about 5% overall yield. The synthetic product was characterized by partition chromatography on agarose gel, thin-layer chromatography in two solvent systems, paper electrophoresis at two pH values, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, amino acid analyses of acid and enzymic hydrolysates, and bioassay for lipolytic and melanotropic activities. The synthetic peptide is about 5.4 times as active on a weight basis as ovine beta-lipotropin in the lipolytic assay. In the melanotropic assay, it was about 2.4 times more active than the beta-lipotropin but only 5% as active as bovine beta-melanotropin. It had negligible opiate activity in the guinea pig ileum assay.     

Divergent effects of adrenocorticotropin and melanotropin on isolated rat and rabbit adipocytes

The stimulation of lipolysis in isolated rat and rabbit fat cells by adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) and α-melanotropin has been studied. The concentration of α-melanotropin required for half maximal stimulation is 0.23 times that of ACTH in rabbit adipocytes but as high as 1140 times that of ACTH in rat fat cells. Chemical modification of the tryptophan residue in ACTH and melanotropin resulted in a loss of lipolytic activity in rat adipocytes and an increase in lipolytic potency in rabbit fat cells. These differences between rat and rabbit fat cells were evident when stimulation of cyclic AMP synthesis was measured in isolated cells or ghosts. The results are discussed in terms of the difference in the hormone receptors of the fat cells of the two species.     

Divergent effects of adrenocorticotropin and melanotropin on isolated rat and rabbit adipocytes.

The stimulation of lipolysis in isolated rat and rabbit fat cells by adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) and alpha-melanotropin has been studied. The concentration of alpha-melanotropin required for half maximal stimulation is 0.23 times that of ACTH in rabbit adipocytes but as high as 1140 times that of ACTH in rat fat cells. Chemical modification of the tryptophan residue in ACTH and melanotropin resulted in a loss of lipolytic activity in rat adipocytes and an increase in lipolytic potency in rabbit fat cells. These differences between rat and rabbit fat cells were evident when stimulation of cyclic AMP synthesis was measured in isolated cells or ghosts. The results are discussed in terms of the difference in the hormone receptors of the fat cells of the two species.     

Effects of PHI on vasoactive intestinal peptide receptors and adenylate cyclase activity in lung membranes. A comparison in man, rat, mouse and guinea pig

The presence of receptors, recognized by vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) as well as by PHI (a peptide with N-terminal histidine and C-terminal isoleucine amide), was documented in lung membranes from rat, mouse, guinea pig and man by the ability of these receptors, once occupied, to stimulate adenylate cyclase. In lung membranes from rat, mouse and guinea pig, the capacity of VIP, PHI and secretin to stimulate the enzyme and the potency of the same peptides to compete with 125I-VIP for binding to VIP receptors were similar, the affinity decreasing in the order: VIP greater than PHI greater than secretin. In addition, dose-effect curves were compatible with the coexistence of high-affinity and low-affinity VIP receptors, in the four animal species considered. If PHI was able to recognize all VIP receptors it could not, however, discriminate the subclasses of VIP receptors.