Augmentation of 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 in LPS-activated J774.1 macrophages--role of 11beta-HSD1 in pro-inflammatory properties in macrophages

Macrophage infiltration in obese adipose tissue provokes local inflammation and insulin resistance. Evidence has accumulated that activation of 11beta-HSD1 in adipocytes is critically involved in dysfunction of adipose tissue. However, the potential role of 11beta-HSD1 in macrophages still remains unclear. We here demonstrate that a murine macrophage cell line, J774.1 cells expressed 11beta-HSD1 mRNA and reductase activity, both of which were augmented by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced cell activation. Three kinds of pharmacological inhibition of 11beta-HSD1 in LPS-treated macrophages significantly suppressed the expression and secretion of interleukin 1beta, tumor necrosis factor alpha or monocyte chemoattractant protein 1, thereby highlighting a novel role of 11beta-HSD1 in pro-inflammatory properties of activated macrophages.     

Skeletal muscle 11beta-HSD1 controls glucocorticoid-induced proteolysis and expression of E3 ubiquitin ligases atrogin-1 and MuRF-1

Recent studies demonstrated expression and activity of the intracellular cortisone-cortisol shuttle 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11beta-HSD1) in skeletal muscle and inhibition of 11beta-HSD1 in muscle cells improved insulin sensitivity. Glucocorticoids induce muscle atrophy via increased expression of the E3 ubiquitin ligases Atrogin-1 (Muscle Atrophy F-box (MAFbx)) and MuRF-1 (Muscle RING-Finger-1). We hypothesized that 11beta-HSD1 controls glucocorticoid-induced expression of atrophy E3 ubiquitin ligases in skeletal muscle. Primary human myoblasts were generated from healthy volunteers. 11beta-HSD1-dependent protein degradation was analyzed by [(3)H]-tyrosine release assay. RT-PCR was used to determine mRNA expression of E3 ubiquitin ligases and 11beta-HSD1 activity was measured by conversion of radioactively labeled [(3)H]-cortisone to [(3)H]-cortisol separated by thin-layer chromatography. We here demonstrate that 11beta-HSD1 is expressed and biologically active in interconverting cortisone to active cortisol in murine skeletal muscle cells (C2C12) as well as in primary human myotubes. 11Beta-HSD1 expression increased during differentiation from myoblasts to mature myotubes (p < 0.01), suggesting a role of 11beta-HSD1 in skeletal muscle growth and differentiation. Treatment with cortisone increased protein degradation by about 20% (p < 0.001), which was paralleled by an elevation of Atrogin-1 and MuRF-1 mRNA expression (p < 0.01, respectively). Notably, pre-treatment with the 11beta-HSD1 inhibitor carbenoxolone (Cbx) completely abolished the effect of cortisone on protein degradation as well as on Atrogin-1 and MuRF-1 expression. In summary, our data suggest that 11beta-HSD1 controls glucocorticoid-induced protein degradation in human and murine skeletal muscle via regulation of the E3 ubiquitin ligases Atrogin-1 and MuRF-1.     

MRNA and enzyme activity of hepatic 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 are elevated in C57BL/KsJ-db/db mice.

To evaluate the importance of 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11beta-HSD1) in insulin resistant diabetic C57BL/KsJ-db/db mice, we measured the activity and mRNA level of 11beta-HSD1 in the liver of db/db mice and their heterozygote litter mates, db/+m mice. The blood glucose, plasma insulin, and corticosterone levels of db/db mice were significantly higher than those of db/+m mice. Despite hyperinsulinemia, the activity level of this enzyme was significantly higher in db/db mice, and the mRNA level of hepatic 11beta-HSD1 was also significantly higher in db/db mice. Since hepatic 11beta-HSD1 in vivo mainly functions as 11-keto-reductase and does not work as 11beta-oxidase, these results suggest that the rate of hepatic conversion of 11-dehydrocorticosterone to corticosterone is increased in db/db mice, resulting in higher glucocorticoid activity in the liver. The increased hepatic corticosterone concentration due to the elevation of 11beta-HSD1 and high plasma corticosterone concentration may antagonize the action of insulin and cause insulin resistance. These findings have a potentially important implication for relationships between increased hepatic 11beta-HSD1 and insulin resistance in db/db mice. The present paper is the first to demonstrate the increased activities and mRNA level of hepatic 11beta-HSD1 in db/db mice.     

Effect of PPAR-delta agonist on the expression of visfatin, adiponectin, and resistin in rat adipose tissue and 3T3-L1 adipocytes

It has been recently reported that activation of PPAR-delta, by specific agonists or genetic manipulation, alleviates dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia, and insulin resistance in animal models of obesity and type 2 diabetes. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether the PPAR-delta agonist has a direct effect on adipokines in visceral adipose tissue of rats and in cultured adipocytes. We examined the expression of visfatin, adiponectin, and resistin mRNA in visceral adipose tissue of Wistar rats fed a high-fat diet and 3T3-L1 adipocytes treated with PPAR-delta agonist (L-165041). Body weight and biochemical measurements were performed. Rats fed a high-fat diet showed a greater increase in body weight than those fed a standard diet (P<0.05), and treatment with L-165041 (10 mg/kg/day) significantly decreased weight gain (P<0.05). The concentration of total cholesterol was lower, and HDL cholesterol was higher in L-165041-treated rats (P<0.05). In the visceral adipose tissue of L-165041-treated rats, visfatin and adiponectin mRNA levels significantly increased compared to those of the untreated rats (P<0.05). However, the expression of resistin decreased in the L-165041-treated rats. Furthermore, in cultured 3T3-L1 adipocytes, the level of visfatin and adiponectin mRNA was up-regulated in response to L-165041 treatment for nine days. By contrast, resistin mRNA levels were down-regulated by L-165041 treatment. The present study provides a novel evidence to suggest that the PPAR-delta agonist has regulatory effects on a variety of adipokines, and these effects might explain some of their metabolic function.     

Differential modulation of 3T3-L1 adipogenesis mediated by 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-1 levels

The localized activation of circulating glucocorticoids in vivo by the enzyme 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11beta-HSD1) plays a critical role in the development of the metabolic syndrome. However, the precise contribution of 11beta-HSD1 in the initiation of adipogenesis by inactive glucocorticoids is not fully understood. 3T3-L1 fibroblasts can be terminally differentiated to mature adipocytes in a glucocorticoid-dependent manner. Both inactive rodent dehydrocorticosterone and human cortisone were able to substitute for the synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone in 3T3-L1 adipogenesis, suggesting a potential role for 11beta-HSD1 in these effects. Differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells caused a strong increase in 11beta-HSD1 protein levels, which occurred late in the differentiation protocol. Reduction of 11beta-HSD1 activity in 3T3-L1 fibroblasts, achieved by pharmacological inhibition or adenovirally mediated delivery of short hairpin RNA constructs, specifically blocked the ability of inactive glucocorticoids to drive 3T3-L1 differentiation. However, even modest increases in exogenous 11beta-HSD1 expression in 3T3-L1 fibroblasts, to levels comparable with endogenous 11beta-HSD1 in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes, were sufficient to block adipogenesis. Luciferase reporter assays indicated that overexpressed 11beta-HSD1 was catalyzing the inactivating dehydrogenase reaction, because the ability of both active and inactive glucocorticoids to activate the glucocorticoid receptor were largely suppressed. These results suggest that the temporal regulation of 11beta-HSD1 expression is tightly controlled in 3T3-L1 cells, so as to mediate the initiation of differentiation by inactive glucocorticoids and also to prevent the inhibitory activity of prematurely expressed 11beta-HSD1 during adipogenesis.     

Thiazolidinediones exhibit different effects on preadipocytes isolated from rat mesenteric fat tissue and cell line 3T3-L1 cells derived from mice

The effects of PPAR-gamma agonists, thiazolidinediones (TZDs), on preadipocytes isolated from rat mesenteric adipose tissue and murine cell line 3T3-L1 were compared using an in vitro cell culture system. After each cell formed a confluent monolayer under appropriate medial conditions, pioglitazone or troglitazone was applied at 10 microM to each medium for cell maturation. We observed morphological changes in each cell, especially the accumulation of lipid droplets in the cytoplasm, during the culture periods. At the end of culture, DNA content, triglyceride (TG) content and glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH) activity were determined. Adiponectin concentrations in each culture medium were also measured during appropriate experimental periods. Application of TZDs increased the DNA content, TG accumulation and GPDH activity in the 3T3-L1 cells but not in the mesenteric adipocytes. Although TG accumulation was unchanged, the number of lipid particles was decreased and the size of lipid particles in the mesenteric adipocytes was increased by TZD application. Although the TZDs increased adiponectin release from the 3T3-L1 cells, adiponectin release from mesenteric adipocytes was suppressed (P<0.05). Thus, the effects of TZDs differed between the primary culture of mesenteric adipose cells and the line cell culture of 3T3-L1 cells. The source of adipocytes is an important factor in determining the action of TZDs in vitro, and particular attention should be paid when evaluating the effect of PPAR-gamma agonists on adipose tissues.     

Effects of the new C1q/TNF-related protein (CTRP-3) "cartonectin" on the adipocytic secretion of adipokines

Background: Cartonectin (collagenous repeat‐containing sequence of 26‐kDa protein; CORS‐26) was described as a new adipokine of the C1q/TNF molecular superfamily C1q/TNF‐related protein‐3 (CTRP‐3), secreted by the adipocytes of mice and humans. The receptor and function of cartonectin are unknown and the recombinant protein is not commercially available. Objective: To investigate the effects of recombinant cartonectin on the secretion of adipokines such as adiponectin, leptin, and resistin from adipocytes of human and murine origin. The effect of the BMI of the adipocyte donor was also investigated. Methods and Procedures: Human adipocytes from pooled lean and preobese healthy individuals and murine 3T3‐L1 adipocytes were used for stimulation experiments. Recombinant cartonectin was expressed in insect H5 cells. Adipokine secretion was measured using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. In addition, western blot analysis and luciferase reporter gene assays were employed. Results: Cartonectin (1, 10, 50, and 250 ng/ml) in higher doses stimulates the secretion of adiponectin and resistin from murine adipocytes. This effect is not caused by an induction of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐γ (PPAR‐γ) protein expression, as confirmed by western blot analysis. Also, luciferase reporter gene assay revealed that cartonectin failed to induce luciferase activity at the peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor responsive element site containing the adiponectin/luciferase promoter fragment. Human adipocytes from lean individuals secrete higher amounts of adiponectin and leptin when compared with adipocytes of individuals with a preobesity BMI (25–30 kg/m²). Cartonectin failed to stimulate adiponectin or leptin secretion from human adipocytes, irrespective of the BMI value. Discussion: Cartonectin is a new adipokine that differentially regulates the secretion of classical adipokines, with marked differences between the human and the murine systems. These effects are species‐dependent, while basal adipokine secretion is influenced by the BMI.     

Eicosapentaenoic Acid and Rosiglitazone Increase Adiponectin in an Additive and PPARγ‐Dependent Manner in Human Adipocytes

Adiponectin, an anti‐inflammatory and insulin‐sensitizing protein secreted from adipose tissue, may be modulated by dietary fatty acids, although the mechanism is not fully known. Our objective was to investigate the effect of long‐chain n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) on adiponectin in cultured human adipocytes, and to elucidate the role of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐γ (PPARγ) in this regulation. Isolated human adipocytes were cultured for 48 h with 100 µmol/l eicosapentaenoic acid (C20:5n‐3, EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6n‐3, DHA), palmitic acid (C16:0), 100 µmol/l EPA plus 100 µmol/l DHA, or bovine serum albumin (control). Additionally, adipocytes were treated for 48 h with a PPARγ antagonist (BADGE) or agonist (rosiglitazone) in isolation or in conjunction with either EPA or DHA. At 48 h, EPA and DHA increased (P < 0.05) adiponectin secretion by 88 and 47%, respectively, while EPA, but not DHA, also increased (136%, P < 0.001) cellular adiponectin protein. Interestingly, PPARγ antagonism completely abolished the DHA‐mediated increase in secreted adiponectin, but only partially attenuated the EPA‐mediated response. Thus, EPA's effects on adiponectin do not appear to be entirely PPARγ mediated. Rosiglitazone increased (P < 0.001) the secreted and cellular adiponectin protein (90 and 582%, respectively). Finally, the effects of EPA and rosiglitazone on adiponectin secretion were additive (+230% at 48 h combined, compared to 121 and 124% by EPA or rosiglitazone alone, respectively). Overall, our findings emphasize the therapeutic importance of long‐chain n‐3 PUFA alone, or in combination with a PPARγ agonist, as a stimulator of adiponectin, a key adipokine involved in obesity and related diseases.     

Chemerin enhances insulin signaling and potentiates insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

To explore a novel adipokine, we screened adipocyte differentiation-related gene and found that TIG2/chemerin was strongly induced during the adipocyte differentiation. Chemerin was secreted by the mature 3T3-L1 adipocytes and expressed abundantly in adipose tissue in vivo as recently described. Intriguingly, the expression of chemerin was differently regulated in the liver and adipose tissue in db/db mice. In addition, serum chemerin concentration was decreased in db/db mice. Chemerin and its receptor/ChemR23 were expressed in mature adipocytes, suggesting its function in autocrine/paracrine fashion. Finally, chemerin potentiated insulin-stimulated glucose uptake concomitant with enhanced insulin signaling in the 3T3-L1 adipocytes. These data establish that chemerin is a novel adipokine that regulates adipocyte function.     

Production of angiotensin II receptors type one (AT1) and type two (AT2) during the differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes.

During their development from progenitor cells, adipocytes not only express enzymatic activities necessary for the storage of triglycerides, but also achieve the capability to produce a number of endocrine factors such as leptin, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha), complement factors, adiponectin/adipoQ, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), angiotensin II and others. Angiotensin II is produced from angiotensinogen by the proteolytic action of renin and angiotensin-converting enzyme; and several data point to the existence of a complete local renin-angiotensin system in adipose tissue, including angiotensin II receptors. In this study, we directly monitored the production of angiotensin II type one receptor (AT1) and angiotensin II type two receptor (AT2) proteins during the adipose conversion of murine 3T3-L1 preadipocytes by immunodetection with specific antibodies. AT1 receptors could be detected throughout the whole differentiation period. The strong AT2 signal in preadipocytes however was completely lost during the course of differentiation, which suggests that expression of AT2 receptors is inversely correlated to the adipose conversion program.     

Biglycan Deletion Alters Adiponectin Expression in Murine Adipose Tissue and 3T3-L1 Adipocytes

Obesity promotes increased secretion of a number of inflammatory factors from adipose tissue. These factors include cytokines and very lately, extracellular matrix components (ECM). Biglycan, a small leucine rich proteoglycan ECM protein, is up-regulated in obesity and has recently been recognized as a pro-inflammatory molecule. However, it is unknown whether biglycan contributes to adipose tissue dysfunction. In the present study, we characterized biglycan expression in various adipose depots in wild-type mice fed a low fat diet (LFD) or obesity-inducing high fat diet (HFD). High fat feeding induced biglycan mRNA expression in multiple adipose depots. Adiponectin is an adipokine with anti-inflammatory and insulin sensitizing effects. Due to the importance of adiponectin, we examined the effect of biglycan on adiponectin expression. Comparison of adiponectin expression in biglycan knockout (bgn^−/0) and wild-type (bgn^+/0) reveals higher adiponectin mRNA and protein in epididymal white adipose tissue in bgn^−/0 mice, as well higher serum concentration of adiponectin, and lower serum insulin concentration. On the contrary, knockdown of biglycan in 3T3-L1 adipocytes led to decreased expression and secretion of adiponectin. Furthermore, treatment of 3T3-L1 adipocytes with conditioned medium from biglycan treated macrophages resulted in an increase in adiponectin mRNA expression. These data suggest a link between biglycan and adiponectin expression. However, the difference in the pattern of regulation between in vivo and in vitro settings reveals the complexity of this relationship.     

SGK1 抑制剂改善糖代谢紊乱的作用研究

目的:观察血清和糖皮质激素诱导的蛋白激酶1(serum and glucocorticoid-induced protein kinase1,SGK1)抑制剂对db/db小鼠糖代谢紊乱的改善作用,初步探讨该作用是否与改善脂肪组织功能紊乱有关。方法:将db/db小鼠随机分为db/db组、抑制剂组,同时设db/m组,db/db组、db/m组小鼠给予普通饲料喂养,抑制剂组小鼠给予含SGK1抑制剂的饲料喂养,干预8周。观察体重、摄食量、空腹血糖(fasting blood glucose,FBG)、糖化血红蛋白(glycosylated hemoglobin,Hb A1C),干预8周后行腹腔葡萄糖耐量试验(intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test,IPGTT)、腹腔胰岛素耐量试验(intraperitoneal insulin tolerance test,IPITT)。酶联免疫吸附测定(enzyme linked immunosorbent assay,ELISA)法检测血清空腹胰岛素(fasting insulin,FINS)水平,计算胰岛素抵抗指数(homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance,HOMA-IR)及胰岛素敏感性指数(insulin sensitivity index,ISI)。实时定量荧光PCR(real-time PCR)法检测脂肪组织中SGK1、脂肪细胞因子m RNA表达水平。结果:干预8周后,抑制剂组体重、FBG、Hb A1C、IPGTT、IPITT均低于db/db组(P0.05),摄食量无明显差异。与db/db组相比,抑制剂组血清FINS有下降趋势,HOMA-IR明显降低,ISI明显升高(P0.05)。SGK1抑制剂干预治疗后,脂肪组织中SGK1、单核细胞趋化因子-1(monocyte chemotactic protein-1,MCP-1)、凝血酶元激活因子的抑制因子-1(plasminogen activator inhibitor 1,PAI-1)m RNA表达下降(P0.05),脂联素(adiponectin)m RNA表达无明显变化。结论:SGK1抑制剂干预治疗可一定程度改善db/db小鼠糖代谢紊乱,该作用可能部分与改善脂肪组织功能紊乱有关。     

The functional consequences of 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase expression in adipose tissue.

Clinical observations have highlighted the link between glucocorticoids and obesity. While exogenous glucocorticoids in excess predispose to the development of central obesity, we have focused on cortisol metabolism within human adipose tissue. 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11beta-HSD) inter-converts the active glucocorticoid, cortisol, and inactive cortisone. 11beta-HSD1, the only isoform expressed in adipose tissue, acts predominantly as an oxoreductase to generate cortisol. Expression is higher in omental compared to subcutaneous preadipocytes and activity and expression are potently regulated by growth factors and cytokines. Mice over-expressing 11beta-HSD1 specifically within adipocytes develop central obesity. However, the situation is less clear in humans. Globally, there appears to be inhibition of the enzyme, but expression in human obesity is still not fully characterized; its functional role in adipocyte biology remains to be elucidated. In vitro, 11beta-HSD1 appears to function in promoting adipocyte differentiation and limiting preadipocyte proliferation, but the impact of these effects in vivo upon the regulation of fat mass remains to be defined. Clinical studies utilizing selective 11beta-HSD1 inhibitors may help to answer this question.     

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma ligands inhibit adipocyte 11beta -hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 expression and activity

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARgamma) has been shown to play an important role in the regulation of expression of a subclass of adipocyte genes and to serve as the molecular target of the thiazolidinedione (TZD) and certain non-TZD antidiabetic agents. Hypercorticosteroidism leads to insulin resistance, a variety of metabolic dysfunctions typically seen in diabetes, and hypertrophy of visceral adipose tissue. In adipocytes, the enzyme 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11beta-HSD-1) converts inactive cortisone into the active glucocorticoid cortisol and thereby plays an important role in regulating the actions of corticosteroids in adipose tissue. Here, we show that both TZD and non-TZD PPARgamma agonists markedly reduced 11beta-HSD-1 gene expression in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. This diminution correlated with a significant decrease in the ability of the adipocytes to convert cortisone to cortisol. The half-maximal inhibition of 11beta-HSD-1 mRNA expression by the TZD, rosiglitazone, occurred at a concentration that was similar to its K(d) for binding PPARgamma and EC(50) for inducing adipocyte differentiation thereby indicating that this action was PPARgamma-dependent. The time required for the inhibitory action of the TZD was markedly greater for 11beta-HSD-1 gene expression than for leptin, suggesting that these genes may be down-regulated by different molecular mechanisms. Furthermore, whereas regulation of PPARgamma-inducible genes such as phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase was maintained when cellular protein synthesis was abrogated, PPARgamma agonist inhibition of 11beta-HSD-1 and leptin gene expression was ablated, thereby supporting the conclusion that PPARgamma affects the down-regulation of 11beta-HSD-1 indirectly. Finally, treatment of diabetic db/db mice with rosiglitazone inhibited expression of 11beta-HSD-1 in adipose tissue. This decrease in enzyme expression correlated with a significant decline in plasma corticosterone levels. In sum, these data indicate that some of the beneficial effects of PPARgamma antidiabetic agents may result, at least in part, from the down-regulation of 11beta-HSD-1 expression in adipose tissue.     

An angiotensin II AT1 receptor antagonist, telmisartan augments glucose uptake and GLUT4 protein expression in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

Evidence has accumulated that some of the angiotensin II AT1 receptor antagonists have insulin-sensitizing property. We thus examined the effect of telmisartan on insulin action using 3T3-L1 adipocytes. With standard differentiation inducers, a higher dose of telmisartan effectively facilitated differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Treatment of both differentiating adipocytes and fully differentiated adipocytes with telmisartan caused a dose-dependent increase in mRNA levels for PPARgamma target genes such as aP2 and adiponectin. By contrast, telmisartan attenuated 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 mRNA level in differentiated adipocytes. Of note, we demonstrated for the first time that telmisartan augmented GLUT4 protein expression and 2-deoxy glucose uptake both in basal and insulin-stimulated state of adipocytes, which may contribute, at least partly, to its insulin-sensitizing ability.     

Effect of voluntary exercise on peripheral tissue glucocorticoid receptor content and the expression and activity of 11beta-HSD1 in the Syrian hamster.

Recent findings indicate that elevated levels of glucocorticoids (GC), governed by the expression of 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11beta-HSD1) and GC receptors (GR), in visceral adipose tissue and skeletal muscle lead to increased insulin resistance and the metabolic syndrome. Paradoxically, evidence indicates that aerobic exercise attenuates the development of the metabolic syndrome even though it stimulates acute increases in circulating GC levels. To investigate the hypothesis that training alters peripheral GC action to maintain insulin sensitivity, young male hamsters were randomly divided into sedentary (S) and trained (T) groups (n = 8 in each). The T group had 24-h access to running wheels over 4 wk of study. In muscle, T hamsters had lower 11beta-HSD1 protein expression (19.2 +/- 1.40 vs. 22.2 +/- 0.96 optical density, P < 0.05), similar 11beta-HSD1 enzyme activity (0.9 +/- 0.27% vs. 1.1 +/- 0.26), and lower GR protein expression (9.7 +/- 1.86 vs. 15.1 +/- 1.78 optical density, P < 0.01) than S hamsters. In liver, 11beta-HSD1 protein expression tended to be lower in T compared with S (19.2 +/- 0.56 vs. 21.4 +/- 1.05, P = 0.07), whereas both enzyme activity and GR protein expression were similar. In contrast, visceral adipose tissue contained approximately 2.7-fold higher 11beta-HSD1 enzyme activity in T compared with S (12.9 +/- 3.3 vs. 4.8 +/- 1.5% conversion, P < 0.05) but was considerably smaller in mass (0.24 +/- 0.02 vs. 0.71 +/- 0.06 g). Thus the intracellular adaptation of GC regulators to exercise is tissue specific, resulting in decreases in GC action in skeletal muscle and increases in GC action in visceral fat. These adaptations may have important implications in explaining the protective effects of aerobic exercise on insulin resistance and other symptoms of the metabolic syndrome.