Effect of insulin on glucagon binding to isolated rat epididymal adipocytes

Effect of insulin on glucagon binding to rat epididymal adipocytes was studied in vitro. [125I]iodoglucagon binding to isolated adipocytes was increased by preincubation of the cells with insulin. Maximal increase was observed with 7 X 10(-10) M insulin. In Scatchard analysis, [125I]iodoglucagon competition data generated one binding site with a single affinity for glucagon binding in the cells pretreated with buffer alone. Pretreatment of the cells with insulin increased the affinity without changes in the number of binding sites. [125I]iodoglucagon binding to isolated adipocytes was not affected by pretreatment of the cells with luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, growth hormone, or with prolactin. These results suggest that insulin stimulates glucagon binding to adipocytes.     

Regulation of pyruvate dehydrogenase activity in rat epididymal fat-pads and isolated adipocytes by adrenaline.

1. Dose-dependent effects of adrenaline on PDHa activity were investigated with both incubated rat epidiymal fat-pads and isolated adipocytes. 2. Adrenaline (10nM- 5 micrometer) decreased PDHa activity in fat-pads incubated with 5 mM-[U-14C]glucose + insulin (20 munits/ml). Changes in [U-14C]glucose incorporation into fatty acids in these tissues correlated only loosely with changes in PDHa activity. There was a good inverse relationship between adrenaline-induced changes in PDHa activity and increases in lipolysis (glycerol release). 3. Adrenaline (10nM - 0.5 micrometer) decreased PDHa activity in fat-pads incubated with 5 mM-[U-14C]pyruvate + insulin (20 munits/ml), whereas 1 micrometer- and 5 micrometer-adrenaline slightly increased PDHa activity. All concentrations of adrenaline tested decreased [U-14C]pyruvate incorporation into fatty acids. Between 10nM- and 0.5 micrometer-adrenaline percentage decreases in PDHa activity paralleled decreases in faty acid synthesis. 4. Effects of adrenaline on PDHa activity and fatty acid synthesis in fat-pads incubated with 5mM-[U-14C]pyruvate + insulin (20 munits/ml) could not be mimicked by addition of albumin-bound palmitate. 5. The response of PDHa activity to adrenaline (0.1 nM - 1 micrometer) in isolated adipocytes differed with the carbohydrate substrate used in the incubations. With 5 mM-glucose + insulin (20 munits/ml), PDHa activity was significantly increased by 10 nM-adrenaline, but not by 1 micrometer-adrenaline, the response to adrenaline being biphasic. There was some correlation between PDHa activity and accumulation of non-esterified fatty acids. With 5 mM-glucose alone adrenaline (0.1 nM - 1 micrometer) had no effect on PDHa activity even though lipolysis was increased by adrenaline (0.1 micrometer - 1 micrometer). With 5mM-fructose in the presence and absence of insulin, lipolytic doses of adrenaline decreased PDHa activity. No tested concentrations of adrenaline increased PDHa with this substrate. 6. In the presence of 5 mM-fructose, palmitate was significantly more effective than adrenaline with respect to the maximum decrease in PDHa activity that could be elicited. 4. The relationship of changes in PDHa activity to changes in lipogenesis and the likelihood of adrenaline-induced changes in PDHa activity being secondary to changes in non-esterified fatty acid metabolism are discussed.     

Characterization of oxytocin receptors on isolated rat fat cells.

The binding of 3H-labelled neurohypophyseal nonapeptide hormone, oxytocin, to isolated rat fat cells has been measured under conditions where this compound elicits the known activation of glucose oxidation by these cells, called "insulin-like" action. Uptake by the cells of the [3H]peptide as a function of various concentrations of the hormone in the medium indicated the presence of two classes of binding sites with different apparent affinities and capacities. The sites of the first type exhibit a rather high affinity, but low capacity, for oxytocin (5 nM; 3 X 10(4) sited per cell) and appear to be saturable under a reversible process. Evaluation of dose-response relationships suggest that they may be directly related to the measured biological response (i.e. activation of the glucose to 14CO2 conversion). Competition experiments show that [3H]oxytocin binding to the cells remains constant within a large range of insulin concentrations. The apparent capacity of different hormone analogs to compete with oxytocin for binding to this class of receptors has been evaluated and compared with the measured insulin-like activity of these different compounds. The sites of the second category have significantly lower affinity, but higher capacity for oxytocin, and were found to be not saturable under the experimental conditions. [3H]Oxytocin uptake by ghosts prepared from the isolated fat cells showed striking similarities to the binding process described for whole cells, although the affinity and total capacity of the former were found to be slightly lower. The basal and adrenalin-stimulated adenylate cyclase of these fractions appeared to be unaffected by various concentrations of oxytocin. It is concluded that there may exist on the rat fat cell membranes a discrete number of oxytocin receptors possessing high specificity for oxytocin and exhibiting affinities and kinetic behaviour similar to those of other characterized oxytocin receptors. They are believed to be independent of the other hormonal receptors of the rat fact cells.     

Glucose oxidation,glucose transport and insulin binding in isolated rat epididymal adipocytes in the presence of anesthetics

Insulin binding and glucose oxidation were measured in isolated rat adipocytes in the presence of several anesthetics; ethanol, n-octanol, pentobarbital, chlorpromazine and tetracaine. Ethanol and chlorpromazine, at anesthetic and pentobarbitol at sub-anesthetic concentrations are inhibitory to both basal and insulin stimulated rates of glucose oxidation. At all concentrations of ethanol, pentobarbital or chlorpromazine tested binding of insulin is not affected. Since anesthetics may alter membrane fluidity, it is suggested that an anesthetic-induced increase in membrane fluidity beyond that which occurs at 37°C is detrimental to glucose oxidation. Of the 5 anesthetics examined, only chlorpromazine (10 μM or less) and tetracaine (500 μM) stimulate glucose oxidation. These two agents are known to bind to a cell's cytoskeletal system; the binding of chlorpromazine to microtubules is entropy driven. The temperature and concentration dependence of chlorpromazine stimulation of glucose oxidation (transport) are consistent with this form of binding. It is proposed that chlorpromazine binds to the cytoskeletal system of the adipocyte and that this system is normally restrictive to the motion of membrane proteins. Disruption of the cytoskeletal system by chlorpromazine or tetracaine would increase the frequency of insulin-receptor and glucose-carrier contact. Activation of glucose transport could ensue.     

Reassessment of insulin effects on the Vmax and Km values of hexose transport in isolated rat epididymal adipocytes

Effects of insulin on the kinetic parameters of hexose transport in rat epididymal adipocytes were re-examined. The transport activity was assessed by measuring the rate of uptake of 3-O-[3H]methyl-D-glucose (MeGlc) under equilibrium exchange and zero-trans conditions. The incubation was carried out at 37 degrees C in an infant incubator. During the incubation, the cell suspension (25%, v/v, in a total volume of 48 microliter) was mechanically swirled at a rate of 600 rpm (r = 2 mm). The swirling facilitated the rapid uptake of MeGlc without stimulating the basal transport activity by "mechanical agitation". The basal and insulin-treated cells were incubated under identical conditions, except for the length of the incubation period. The incubation was terminated by the addition of 350 microliters of 1 mM phloretin, which inhibited transport in approximately 0.06 s. The time course of MeGlc uptake was consistent with the view that the process was a multiple-phase reaction. The initial phase of the reaction was completed when the intracellular distribution space of MeGlc was approximately 1% of the total cell volume. Insulin (10 nM) increased the Vmax value of MeGlc uptake 16-fold in equilibrium exchange experiments and 18-fold in zero-trans experiments. At the same time, the hormone decreased the Km value of MeGlc uptake from 11.7 to 5.4 mM in equilibrium exchange experiments and from 9.7 to 4.8 mM in zero-trans experiments. It is concluded that the major effect of insulin on MeGlc uptake is to increase the Vmax value, but the hormone has the additional effect of lowering the apparent Km value.     

Lipogenesis in rat and guinea-pig isolated epididymal fat-cells

Fat-cells were prepared from rat and guinea-pig epididymal adipose tissue and compared on the basis of the intracellular distributions and activities of enzymes and with respect to their utilization of various U-(14)C-labelled substrates for lipogenesis. 1. Compared with the rat, guinea-pig extramitochondrial enzyme activities differed in that aconitate hydratase, alanine aminotransferase, ATP-citrate lyase, lactate dehydrogenase, NAD-malate dehydrogenase, NADP-malate dehydrogenase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase activities were appreciably lower, whereas aspartate aminotransferase, glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase, NADP-isocitrate dehydrogenase and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase activities were appreciably higher. Mitochondrial activities of citrate synthase, NADP-isocitrate dehydrogenase and pyruvate carboxylase were appreciably lower, whereas mitochondrial activities of aspartate aminotransferase, glutamate dehydrogenase, NAD-malate dehydrogenase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase were higher in the guinea pig compared with the rat. 2. In general guinea-pig fat-cells incorporated acetate and lactate into fatty acids more readily than rat fat-cells, whereas rat fat-cells incorporated glucose and pyruvate more readily than guinea-pig fat-cells. 3. Acetate stimulated the incorporation of glucose into fatty acids in rat fat-cells, but had no appreciable effect upon this process in guinea-pig fat-cells. Acetate greatly decreased the incorporation of lactate into fatty acids in cells from both species. 4. Lactate/pyruvate ratios produced by incubation of guinea-pig cells with glucose+insulin were very low compared with those found with rat cells under the same conditions. 5. With glucose (+insulin) or with glucose+acetate (+insulin) as substrates guinea-pig cells produced enough NADPH by the hexose monophosphate pathway to satisfy the NADPH requirements of lipogenesis. In rat fat-cells under the same conditions, hexose monophosphate-pathway NADPH provision was not sufficient to meet the requirements of lipogenesis. 6. These results are discussed, particularly in relationship to the disposition of cytosolic reducing equivalents in the cells.     

Binding and action of glucagon in isolated adipocytes from cortisol-treated rats

Evidence for pre-receptor, receptor and post-receptor glucagon defects was investigated in adipocytes from cortisol-treated rats. A decrease in glucagon binding due to a decreased number of receptors was observed. No changes in receptor affinity were detected. Both, the lipolytic response of glucagon and the ability of glucagon to increase basal and theophylline-stimulated cAMP accumulation remained unaltered. Moreover, a hyperglucagonemia accompanied by an increase in glucagon degradation in the serum of cortisol-treated rats was observed. Such alterations could represent a new mechanism by which glucocorticoids exert their biological actions.     

Glycogen synthesis stimulation by adenylate cyclase inhibition in rat epididymal adipocytes

The effects of adenylate cyclase inhibition on the transport of glucose and fructose and their incorporation into glycogen were investigated in order to assess the extent to which lowered cAMP levels can take part in the various components of glycogen synthesis regulation in isolated rat epididymal adipocytes. The dose-response characteristics of (R)-N-(2-phenylisopropyl)adenosine (PIA), a potent and specific adenylate cyclase inhibitor, on glycogen synthesis were compared with those effectively inhibiting lipolysis, a measure of functional cAMP levels. PIA had no effect on basal glucose or fructose transport but stimulated glucose and fructose incorporation into glycogen. Their respective incorporation was 10 and 69% of that achieved in the presence of insulin. These effects of PIA were shown to be in part the result of increased glycogen synthase I activity. PIA was 20% as effective as insulin in this action. Thus, were insulin to lower cAMP levels and/or inhibit cAMP-dependent protein kinase, this action would be irrelevant to glucose transport but would contribute to the stimulation of glycogen metabolism. However, an additional mechanism(s) involving neither increased glucose transport nor lowered cAMP levels is required to account for the full action of insulin. Fat cells in the absence of medium glucose and in the presence of 10(-7) M PIA and adenosine deaminase constitute a system functionally depleted of cAMP where this mechanism can be studied in isolation.     

Binding of epididymal proteins to rat spermatozoa in vivo.

The secretion of epididymal proteins and their binding to spermatozoa in rats were examined after retrograde perfusion of the superior and inferior epididymal arteries with [35S]methionine. PAGE revealed that the pattern of radioactive proteins in the luminal fluid was markedly different from the well-characterized pattern of secretory proteins obtained by in vitro incubation of epididymal minces with labeled methionine. Of the proteins secreted into the lumen, about 1% were associated with Percoll-purified spermatozoa. More proteins were associated with the spermatozoa in the corpus epididymidis than in the caput. Sequential extraction of spermatozoa with an isotonic buffer, a high-salt buffer, Triton X-100, and SDS revealed that almost half of the radiolabeled proteins could be extracted with the isotonic buffer. The firmly bound radioactive proteins remaining, which were extracted with Triton X-100 or SDS, consisted of one major band of 25 kDa and two minor bands of 30 kDa and 32 kDa. Analysis of the sperm-associated proteins at various times after the isotope was administered indicated that tight binding of proteins to spermatozoa occurs within 3 h after isotope injection.     

The short-term regulation of fatty acid synthesis in the rat epididymal adipocytes

Lipogenesis and fatty acid synthetase (FAS) activity of isolated rat adipocytes that were treated with insulin or epinephrine were studied. Insulin stimulated incorporation of radioactivity from D-[U-14C]glucose into CO2, saponifiable and non-saponifiable fractions, whereas epinephrine promoted lipolysis and oxidation of glucose into CO2. Whereas insulin stimulated fatty acid synthesis, epinephrine had no effect. Changes in FAS specific activity of insulin- or epinephrine-treated adipocytes were insignificant and could not account for insulin-stimulated lipogenesis. Rat adipocyte FAS, unlike hepatic FAS, was not subject to short-term regulation by insulin, although fatty acid synthesis showed such a response.     

Fluid-phase endocytosis by isolated rat adipocytes

We have developed an assay, which uses radiolabeled sucrose as the marker, to measure the rate of fluid-phase endocytosis in isolated rat adipocytes. In addition, the assay was adapted to allow measurement of the release of sucrose from previously loaded cells (fluid-phase exocytosis). Adipocytes take up sucrose at an approximately linear rate for at least 1.5 hours. A portion of the pinocytosed sucrose is rapidly (half-time about 20 minutes) returned to the medium. The minimal value for fluid uptake by endocytosis is 57 nl/10(6) cells-h at 37 degrees C; this value corresponds to the formation of 110,000 endocytic vesicles of 100-nm diameter per cell per hour and the internalization of about 20% of the plasma membrane per hour. Insulin caused a small and variable increase in the rate of sucrose uptake. The average increase of 31% from 11 experiments is statistically significant at the level of P less than 0.01. A small insulin effect upon the uptake of the calcium complex of [14C]EDTA was also observed. Since this complex was taken up at 2.5 times the rate of sucrose, it probably entered by a combination of fluid-phase and adsorptive pinocytosis. Insulin did not elicit a significant change in the rate of sucrose release from preloaded cells.     

Binding of cholecystokinin to high affinity receptors on isolated rat pancreatic acini

The binding of cholecystokinin (CCK) to its receptors on isolated rat pancreatic acini was investigated employing high specific activity, radioiodinated CCK (125I-BH-CCK), prepared by the conjugation of 125I-Bolton-Hunter reagent (125I-BH) to CCK. Binding was specific, time-dependent, reversible, and linearly related to the acinar protein concentration. After incubation for 30 min at 37 degrees C, the 125I-BH-CCK both in the incubation medium and bound to acini remained intact, as judged by gel filtration and trichloroacetic acid precipitation studies. Scatchard analysis was compatible with two classes of binding sites on acini: a very high affinity site (Kd, 64 pM) and a lower affinity site (Kd, 21 nM). 125I-BH-CCK binding to acini was competitively inhibited by CCK and four of its analogues in proportion to their biological potencies but not by unrelated hormones. Stimulation of amylase secretion by CCK and inhibition of 125I-BH-CCK binding by the same analogues carried out under identical conditions revealed a correlation (r = 0.99) between binding potency and amylase secretion. Stimulation of amylase secretion by CCK closely paralleled the occupancy of the high affinity CCK binding sites. It is concluded that the high affinity CCK binding sites most likely are the receptors mediating the stimulation of amylase secretion by CCK.     

Roles of alpha and beta adrenergic receptors in control of glucose oxidation in hamster epididymal adipocytes

Oxidation of [¹⁴C]glucose in isolated epididymal adipocytes from Golden hamsters was stimulated by isoproterenol and norepinephrine, which all interact with β-adrenergic receptors and by adrenorticotrophic hormone. In contrast α-receptor agonists, such as phenylephrine, methoxamine or clonidine did not increase basal glucose oxidation. The β-adrenergic blocking drug propranolol inhibited both lipolysis and glucose oxidation when these had been stimulated by isoproterenol, ephinephrine and phenoxybenzamine did not the α-adrenergic blocking drugs phentolamine and phenoxybenzamine did not influence lipolysis or glucose oxidation when isoproterenol provided the stimulus and increased both liposlysis and glucose metabolism in the presence of either epinephrine or norepinephrine. All α-adrenergic agonists tested (phenylephrine, methoxamine and clonidine) lowered liposlysis and glucose oxidation in isolated adipocytes exposed to isoproterenol. However, when adrenorcortropin provided the stimulus for glucose oxidation and lipolysis, only clonidine produced a significant reduction in lipolysis and glucose oxidation. None of the α-agonists influenced glucose metabolism which had been increased by insulin. These data confirm the presence of both α and β adrenergic receptors on hamster epididymal adipocytes and suggests that they exert antagonistic influences on lipolysis and glucose oxidation. These data are also consistent with the view that adrenergic stimulation of glucose oxidation and lipolysis in adipocytes are both mediated through β receptors.     

Binding and antilipolytic action of insulin in isolated adipocytes from cortisol-treated rats

The effects of an in vivo cortisol-treatment to rats (2 X 2 mg/rat/day, for one week) on insulin plasma levels, insulin binding and antilipolytic activity in rat adipose tissue were investigated. Hyperinsulinemia together with an increase in insulin degradation in the serum of cortisol-treated rats were observed. The adipocytes from cortisol-treated animals showed a statistically significant decrease in insulin binding but no change in receptor numbers [cortisol-treated 103,000 +/- 8,000 (n = 8) receptors/cell and controls 138,000 +/- 15,000 (n = 16) receptors/cell], together with unchanged receptor affinity [ED50: cortisol-treated 3 X 10(-9) M and controls 3.2 X 10(-9) M], and a decreased sensitivity to the antilipolytic effect of insulin. The evidence presented for pre-receptor, receptor and post-receptor insulin defects on the action of cortisol in isolated rat adipocytes could represent a coordinated mechanism by which cortisol exerts "insulin resistance" in this tissue.     

Studies of corticotropin receptors on rat adipocytes

Synthetic [¹²⁵I]-Tyr²³, Phe², Nle⁴-adrenocorticotropin (ACTH)-(1–38) ([¹²⁵I]-ACTH analog) with full biological potency and near theoretical specific radioactivity (1800 ± 75 Ci/mmol) was used to investigate ACTH receptors on isolated rat adipocytes derived from 42-day-old rats. Binding to adipocytes was studied in the presence of 1% bovine serum albumin (BSA) as well as 4% BSA. The interaction of the [¹²⁵I]-ACTH analog with adipocytes was highly specific, rapid, saturable, and reversible. Scatchard analysis of the binding data obtained in medium containing 1% BSA revealed a single class of binding sites with an apparent K_D = 170 ± 11.9 pM. Competition experiments with unlabeled ACTH also yielded a comparable value for the apparent K_D (143 ± 16.5 pm). The number of receptors per adipocyte was quite low (521–841/cell). The stimulation of lipolysis by ACTH was closely correlated with the binding, the apparent K_m being 145–177 pm. At a concentration of 4% BSA in the incubation medium, the binding curve was shifted significantly to the right (apparent K_D = 446 ± 77 pM) and the binding capacity was also significantly enhanced (1663 ± 208/cell) without any change in the apparent K_m for glycerol release (187 ± 7.1 pm).     

Prostanoid-induced inhibition of lipolysis in rat isolated adipocytes: probable involvement of EP3 receptors.

Sulprostone, enprostil and 16, 16 dimethyl PGE2 have all been found to be potent inhibitors of lipolysis induced by 3-isobutyl-1-methyl-xanthine (IBMX) in rat isolated adipocytes. The potency of sulprostone and enprostil in particular indicates that the response is likely to be mediated through either EP3 or EP1-receptors. However, the EP1-receptor blocking drug, AH6809, had no effect on the antilipolytic response to either PGE2 or sulprostone. We therefore conclude that the receptors mediating prostanoid-induced inhibition of lipolysis in rat adipocytes must principally be of the EP3 sub-type.     

Genistein affects lipogenesis and lipolysis in isolated rat adipocytes

Genistein is a phytoestrogen found in several plants eaten by humans and food-producing animals and exerting a wide spectrum of biological activity. In this experiment, the impact of genistein on lipogenesis and lipolysis was studied in isolated rat adipocytes. Incubation of the cells (10⁶ cells/ml in plastic tubes at 37°C with Krebs-Ringer buffer, 90 min) with genistein (0.01, 0.3, 0.6 and 1 mM) clearly restricted (1 nM) [U-¹⁴C]glucose conversion to total lipids in the absence and presence of insulin. When [¹⁴C]acetate was used as the substrate for lipogenesis, genistein (0.01, 0.1 and 1 mM) exerted a similar effect. Thus, the anti-lipogenetic action of genistein may be an effect not only of alteration in glucose transport and metabolism, but this phytoestrogen can also restrict the fatty acids synthesis and/or their estrification. Incubation of adipocytes with estradiol at the same concentrations also resulted in restriction of lipogenesis, but the effect was less marked. Genistein (0.1 and 1 mM) augmented basal lipolysis in adipocytes. This process was strongly restricted by insulin (1 μM) and H-89 (an inhibitor of protein kinase A; 50 μM) and seems to be primarily due to the inhibitory action of the phytoestrogen on cAMP phosphodiesterase in adipocytes. Genistein at the smallest concentration (0.01 mM) augmented epinephrine-stimulated (1 μM) lipolysis but failed to potentiate lipolysis induced by forskolin (1 μM) or dibutyryl-cAMP (1 mM). These results suggest genistein action on the lipolytic pathways before activation of adenylate cyclase. The restriction of lipolysis stimulated by several lipolytic agents – epinephrine, forskolin and dibutyryl-cAMP were observed when adipocytes were incubated with genistein at highest concentrations (0.1 and 1 mM). These results prove the inhibitory action of this phyestrogen on the final steps of the lipolytic cascade, i.e. on protein kinase A or hormone sensitive lipase. Estradiol, added to the incubation medium, did not affect lipolysis. It can be concluded that genistein significantly affects lipogenesis and lipolysis in isolated rat adipocytes.     

Roles of alpha and beta adrenergic receptors in control of glucose oxidation in hamster epididymal adipocytes.

Oxidation of [14C] glucose in isolated epididymal adipocytes from Golden hamsters was stimulated by isoproterenol, epinephrine and norepinephrine, which all interact with beta-adrenergic receptors and by adrenocorticotrophic hormone. In contrast alpha-receptor agonists, such as phenylephrine, methoxamine or clonidine did not increase basal glucose oxidation. The beta-adrenergic blocking drug propranolol inhibited both lipolysis and glucose oxidation when these had been stimulated by isoproterenol, epinephrine or norepinephrine. Conversely, the alpha-adrenergic blocking drugs phentolamine and phenoxybenzamine did not influence lipolysis or glucose oxidation when isoproterenol provided the stimulus and increased both lipolysis and glucose metabolism in the present of either epinephrine or norepinephrine. All alpha-adrenergic agonists tested (phenylephrine, methoxamine and clonidine) lowered lipolysis and glucose oxidation isolated adipocytes exposed to isoproterenol. However, when adrenocorticotropin provided the stimulus for glucose oxidation and lipolysis, only clonidine produced a significant reduction in lipolysis and glucose oxidation. None of the alpha-agonists influenced glucose metabolism which had been increased by insulin. These data confirm the presence of both alpha and beta adrenergic receptors on hamster epididymal adipocytes and suggest that they exert antagonistic influences on lipolysis and glucose oxidation. These data are also consistent with the view that adrenergic stimulation of glucose oxidation and lipolysis in adipocytes are both mediated through beta receptors.