Comparative studies on mitochondrial respiration in four strains of rats (Rattus norvegicus)

Mitochondrial respiration and ATP synthesis were examined in young rats of the Sprague-Dawley, Wistar, BHE and Zucker strains. Both lean and obese Zucker rats were studied. Pyruvate-supported state 3 respiration was highest in mitochondria from Sprague-Dawley rats and least in mitochondria from obese Zucker rats. Succinate-supported state 3 respiration was highest in the Wistar group and least in the Sprague-Dawley rats. There appeared to be no relationship between oxygen consumption and the genetic tendency for hepatic hyperlipogenesis. ATP synthesis was greatest in the obese Zucker rats and least in the Sprague-Dawley rats. Differences in liver weights and mitochondrial yields may explain, in part, these observed strain differences in mitochondrial activity.     

Study of some factors controlling fatty acid oxidation in liver mitochondria of obese Zucker rats.

Livers of genetically obese Zucker rats showed, compared with lean controls, hypertrophy and enrichment in triacylglycerols, indicating that fatty acid metabolism was directed towards lipogenesis and esterification rather than towards fatty acid oxidation. Mitochondrial activities of cytochrome c oxidase and monoamine oxidase were significantly lower when expressed per g wet wt. of liver, whereas peroxisomal activities of urate oxidase and palmitoyl-CoA-dependent NAD+ reduction were unchanged. Liver mitochondria were able to oxidize oleic acid at the same rate in both obese and lean rats. For reactions occurring inside the mitochondria, e.g. octanoate oxidation and palmitoyl-CoA dehydrogenase, no difference was found between both phenotypes. Total carnitine palmitoyl-, octanoyl- and acetyl-transferase activities were slightly higher in mitochondria from obese rats, whereas the carnitine content of both liver tissue and mitochondria was significantly lower in obese rats compared with their lean littermates. The carnitine palmitoyltransferase I activity was slightly higher in liver mitochondria from obese rats, but this enzyme was more sensitive to malonyl-CoA inhibition in obese than in lean rats. The above results strongly suggest that the impaired fatty acid oxidation observed in the whole liver of obese rats is due to the diminished transport of fatty acids across the mitochondrial inner membrane via the carnitine palmitoyltransferase I. This effect could be reinforced by the decreased mitochondrial content per g wet wt. of liver. The depressed fatty acid oxidation may explain in part the lipid infiltration of liver observed in obese Zucker rats.     

Oxygen consumption and oxidative capacity of hepatocytes from young male obese and nonobese Zucker rats

The contribution of the liver to the increased metabolic efficiency of the obese rat (fa/fa) was examined. Oxygen consumption of isolated hepatocytes and isolated mitochondria, and hepatic activities of mitochondrial enzymes were measured. Hepatocyte oxygen consumption was similar in the obese and nonobese rats for all substrates tested. Mitochondrial respiration also was similar in both phenotypes for all substrates tested. Activities of citrate synthase, succinate dehydrogenase, and cytochrome oxidase were similar for obese and nonobese rats. Taken together, these data show that in vitro hepatic oxygen consumption and oxidative capacity are similar in obese and nonobese rats. Rates of mitochondrial respiration with palmitoylcarnitine further show that the capacity for hepatic lipid oxidation is similar in obese and nonobese rats. Therefore, the increased metabolic efficiency of the obese rat probably cannot be attributed to an intrinsic decreased hepatic oxidative capacity. Further, there is no defect in hepatic lipid oxidative capacity in the young obese rat.     

Mitochondrial activity of rat kidney during ontogeny

The development of oxidative metabolism was studied from the late fetal to adult stages in mitochondria isolated from rat kidney. We used the oxygen consumption rate, as an index of inner membrane activity and citrate synthase and fumarase activities as an index of matrix activity and cytochrome c oxidase activity as an index of the number of mitochondria. Fumarase and citrate synthase activities displayed different developmental patterns, suggesting that these Krebs cycle enzymes did not mature synchronously. In fetal mitochondria, net oxygen consumption measured in the presence of succinate or glutamate as substrate, was low; it increased during the day after birth and reached adult level between days 10 and 15. During this period, the levels of citrate synthase and cytochrome c oxidase activity did not change significantly in the isolated mitochondrial fraction. However, in fetal and adult kidney homogenates, these levels increased four-fold, suggesting a corresponding increase in the number of mitochondria. Most of these increases occurred during the 15 days after birth. These results suggest that in rat kidney, mitochondrial maturation precedes the maturation of reabsorptive ion transport and does not limit its development.     

Fatty acid oxidation in human and rat heart. Comparison of cell-free and cellular systems

Oxidation rates of palmitate and activities of the mitochondrial marker enzymes cytochrome c oxidase and citrate synthase have been determined in homogenates, isolated mitochondria and slices of human and rat heart and in calcium-tolerant rat cardiac myocytes. Homogenates and mitochondria from rat heart showed a 6- and 2.5-fold higher palmitate oxidation rate than the corresponding preparations from human heart. From the palmitate oxidation rates and cytochrome c oxidase and citrate synthase activities as parameters, the mitochondrial protein contents of human and rat heart were calculated to be about 18 and 45 mg/g wet weight, respectively. Based on citrate synthase activities, the fatty acid oxidation rates were about the same in homogenates and isolated mitochondria, much lower in myocytes and lowest in slices. In the cellular systems the palmitate molecule was more completely oxidized than in homogenates or isolated mitochondria. Fatty acid oxidation rates were concentration-dependent in slices, but not with myocytes. With the cellular systems, palmitate oxidation was synergistically stimulated by the addition of carnitine, coenzyme A and ATP to the incubation medium. This stimulation could be attributed only partly to an increased oxidation in damaged cells.     

Stimulation of the electron transport chain in mitochondria isolated from rats treated with mannoheptulose or glucagon

We investigated the kinetics of the mitochondrial respiratory chain, proton leak, and phosphorylating subsystems of liver mitochondria from mannoheptulose-treated and control rats. Mannoheptulose treatment raises glucagon and lowers insulin; it had no effect on the kinetics of the mitochondrial proton leak or phosphorylating subsystems, but the respiratory chain from succinate to oxygen was stimulated. Previous attempts to detect any stimulation of cytochrome c oxidase by glucagon are shown by flux control analysis to have used inappropriate assay conditions. To investigate the site of stimulation of the respiratory chain we measured the relationship between the thermodynamic driving force and respiration rate for the span succinate to coenzyme Q, the cytochrome bc1 complex and cytochrome c oxidase. Hormone treatment of rats altered the kinetics of electron transport from succinate to coenzyme Q in subsequently isolated mitochondria and activated succinate dehydrogenase. The kinetics of electron transport through the cytochrome bc1 complex were not affected. Effects on cytochrome c oxidase were small or nonexistent.     

Chicoric acid mitigates impaired insulin sensitivity by improving mitochondrial function

Mitochondrial dysfunction is associated with insulin resistance. Although chicoric acid (CA) is known to have beneficial effects on insulin sensitivity, the involvement of mitochondrial function has not been elucidated yet. Here, we investigated the effect of CA on insulin resistance and mitochondrial dysfunction. In palmitate-induced insulin-resistant C2C12 myotubes, CA improved impaired glucose uptake and insulin signaling pathways, along with enhanced mitochondrial membrane potential and oxygen consumption. CA treatment in diet-induced obese mice ameliorated glucose tolerance and increased insulin sensitivity. CA treatment also recovered the dysregulated expression of glucose metabolism-related genes in the high-fat-fed mice. CA significantly increased the mitochondrial DNA content, citrate synthase, and ATP content, as well as the expression of genes related to mitochondrial biogenesis and oxidative phosphorylation in the liver and skeletal muscle in high-fat- fed obese mice. These findings suggested that CA attenuates insulin resistance and promotes insulin sensitivity by enhancing mitochondrial function.     

Characterization and function of mitochondrial nitric-oxide synthase

The mitochondrial production of nitric oxide is catalyzed by a nitric-oxide synthase. This enzyme has the same cofactor and substrate requirements as other constitutive nitric-oxide synthases. Its occurrence was demonstrated in various mitochondrial preparations (intact, purified mitochondria, permeabilized mitochondria, mitoplasts, submitochondrial particles) from different organs (liver, heart) and species (rat, pig). Endogenous nitric oxide reversibly inhibits oxygen consumption and ATP synthesis by competitive inhibition of cytochrome oxidase. The increased K(m) of cytochrome oxidase for oxygen and the steady-state reduction of the electron chain carriers provided experimental evidence for the direct interaction of this oxidase with endogenous nitric oxide. The increase in hydrogen peroxide production by nitric oxide-producing mitochondria not accompanied by the full reduction of the respiratory chain components indicated that cytochrome c oxidase utilizes nitric oxide as an alternative substrate. Finally, effectors or modulators of cytochrome oxidase (the irreversible step in oxidative phosphorylation) had been proposed during the last 40 years. Nitric oxide is the first molecule that fulfills this role (it is a competitive inhibitor, produced at a fair rate near the target site) extending the oxygen gradient to tissues.     

Skeletal muscle mitochondrial FAT/CD36 content and palmitate oxidation are not decreased in obese women

A reduction in fatty acid oxidation has been associated with lipid accumulation and insulin resistance in the skeletal muscle of obese individuals. We examined whether this decrease in fatty acid oxidation was attributable to a reduction in muscle mitochondrial content and/or a dysfunction in fatty acid oxidation within mitochondria obtained from skeletal muscle of age-matched, lean [body mass index (BMI) = 23.3 +/- 0.7 kg/m2] and obese women (BMI = 37.6 +/- 2.2 kg/m2). The mitochondrial marker enzymes citrate synthase (-34%), beta-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase (-17%), and cytochrome c oxidase (-32%) were reduced (P < 0.05) in obese participants, indicating that mitochondrial content was diminished. Obesity did not alter the ability of isolated mitochondria to oxidize palmitate; however, fatty acid oxidation was reduced at the whole muscle level by 28% (P < 0.05) in the obese. Mitochondrial fatty acid translocase (FAT/CD36) did not differ in lean and obese individuals, but mitochondrial FAT/CD36 was correlated with mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation (r = 0.67, P < 0.05). We conclude that the reduction in fatty acid oxidation in obese individuals is attributable to a decrease in mitochondrial content, not to an intrinsic defect in the mitochondria obtained from skeletal muscle of obese individuals. In addition, it appears that mitochondrial FAT/CD36 may be involved in regulating fatty acid oxidation in human skeletal muscle.     

Lipid-induced beta-cell dysfunction in vivo in models of progressive beta-cell failure

We determined the effect of 48-h elevation of plasma free fatty acids (FFA) on insulin secretion during hyperglycemic clamps in control female Wistar rats (group a) and in the following female rat models of progressive beta-cell dysfunction: lean Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats, both wild-type (group b) and heterozygous for the fa mutation in the leptin receptor gene (group c); obese (fa/fa) Zucker rats (nonprediabetic; group d); obese prediabetic (fa/fa) ZDF rats (group e); and obese (fa/fa) diabetic ZDF rats (group f). FFA induced insulin resistance in all groups but increased C-peptide levels (index of absolute insulin secretion) only in obese prediabetic ZDF rats. Insulin secretion corrected for insulin sensitivity using a hyperbolic or power relationship (disposition index or compensation index, respectively, both indexes of beta-cell function) was decreased by FFA. The decrease was greater in normoglycemic heterozygous lean ZDF rats than in Wistar controls. In obese "prediabetic" ZDF rats with mild hyperglycemia, the FFA-induced decrease in beta-cell function was no greater than that in obese Zucker rats. However, in overtly diabetic obese ZDF rats, FFA further impaired beta-cell function. In conclusion, 1) the FFA-induced impairment in beta-cell function is accentuated in the presence of a single copy of a mutated leptin receptor gene, independent of hyperglycemia. 2) In prediabetic ZDF rats with mild hyperglycemia, lipotoxicity is not accentuated, as the beta-cell mounts a partial compensatory response for FFA-induced insulin resistance. 3) This compensation is lost in diabetic rats with more marked hyperglycemia and loss of glucose sensing.     

Alterations in hepatic mitochondrial compartment in a model of obesity and insulin resistance

The objective of this paper is to evaluate adaptations in hepatic mitochondrial protein mass, function and efficiency in a rat model of high-fat diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance that displays several correlates to human obesity. Adult male rats were fed a high-fat diet for 7 weeks. Mitochondrial state 3 and state 4 respiratory capacities were measured in liver homogenate and isolated mitochondria by using nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, flavin adenine dinucleotide and lipid substrates. Mitochondrial efficiency was evaluated by measuring proton leak kinetics. Mitochondrial mass was assessed by ultrastructural observations and citrate synthase (CS) activity measurements. Mitochondrial oxidative damage and antioxidant defence were also considered by measuring lipid peroxidation, aconitase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) specific activity. Whole body metabolic characteristics were obtained by measuring 24-h oxygen consumption (VO2), carbon dioxide production (VCO2), respiratory quotient (RQ) and nonprotein respiratory quotient (NPRQ), using indirect calorimetry with urinary nitrogen analysis. Whole body glucose homeostasis was assessed by measuring plasma insulin and glucose levels after a glucose load. Adult rats fed a high-fat diet for 7 weeks, exhibit not only obesity, insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis, but also reduced respiratory capacity and increased oxidative stress in liver mitochondria. Our present results indicate that alterations in the mitochondrial compartment induced by a high-fat diet are associated with the development of insulin resistance and ectopic fat storage in the liver. Our results thus fit in with the emerging idea that mitochondrial dysfunction can led to the development of metabolic diseases, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.     

Substrate utilization during acute exercise in obese Zucker rats

The purpose of the present study was to compare the carbohydrate use of insulin-resistant obese Zucker rats with that of their lean littermates during steady-state exercise. Obese and lean rats were randomly assigned to a sedentary group or to a run group in which rats ran at 72-73% of their maximal O2 consumption, with the duration of exercise set to require an energy expenditure of 2.1-2.2 kcal. During the run the respiratory exchange ratio was significantly higher in the obese than in the lean rats [0.94 +/- 0.01 (SE) and 0.86 +/- 0.01, respectively], which indicate that the obese rats required 54% more carbohydrate than the lean rats. Total muscle glycogen utilization in the soleus, plantaris, and red and white gastrocnemius was not different between groups. Obese rats had total liver glycogen values five times greater than those of lean rats (833.38 +/- 101.4 and 152.8 +/- 37.5 mg, respectively) and utilized twice as much liver glycogen as their lean littermates (193.5 and 90.4 mg, respectively). The obese rats exhibited higher blood glucose and insulin concentrations than the lean rats during the run. These findings indicate that, despite their characteristic insulin resistance, the obese Zucker rats had a greater dependency on carbohydrate as a substrate during exercise than their lean littermates and that the major source of this carbohydrate was liver glycogen.     

beta-Cell adaptation to insulin resistance. Increased pyruvate carboxylase and malate-pyruvate shuttle activity in islets of nondiabetic Zucker fatty rats

The beta-cell biochemical mechanisms that account for the compensatory hyperfunction with insulin resistance (so-called beta-cell adaptation) are unknown. We investigated glucose metabolism in isolated islets from 10-12-week-old Zucker fatty (ZF) and Zucker lean (ZL) rats (results expressed per mg/islet of protein). ZF rats were obese, hyperlipidemic, and normoglycemic. They had a 3.8-fold increased beta-cell mass along with 3-10-fold increases in insulin secretion to various stimuli during pancreas perfusion despite insulin content per milligram of beta-cells being only one-third that of ZL rats. Islet glucose metabolism (utilization and oxidation) was 1.5-2-fold increased in the ZF islets despite pyruvate dehydrogenase activity being 30% lowered compared with the ZL islets. The reason was increased flux through pyruvate carboxylase (PC) and the malate-pyruvate and citrate-pyruvate shuttles based on the following observations (% ZL islets): increased V(max) of PC (160%), malate dehydrogenase (170%), and malic enzyme (275%); elevated concentrations of oxaloacetate (150%), malate (250%), citrate (140%), and pyruvate (250%); and 2-fold increased release of malate from isolated mitochondria. Inhibition of PC by 5 mm phenylacetic acid markedly lowered glucose-induced insulin secretion in ZF and ZL islets. Thus, our results suggest that PC and the pyruvate shuttles are increased in ZF islets, and this accounts for glucose mitochondrial metabolism being increased when pyruvate dehydrogenase activity is reduced. As the anaplerosis pathways are implicated in glucose-induced insulin secretion and the synthesis of glucose-derived lipid and amino acids, our results highlight the potential importance of PC and the anaplerosis pathways in the enhanced insulin secretion and beta-cell growth that characterize beta-cell adaptation to insulin resistance.     

PPAR-alpha activator fenofibrate increases renal CYP-derived eicosanoid synthesis and improves endothelial dilator function in obese Zucker rats

Previous studies have shown that the synthesis of renal cytochrome P-450 (CYP)-derived eicosanoids is downregulated in genetic or high-fat diet-induced obese rats. Experiments were designed to determine whether fenofibrate, a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-alpha agonist, would induce renal eicosanoid synthesis and improve endothelial function in obese Zucker rats. Administration of fenofibrate (150 mg.kg(-1).day(-1) for 4 wk) significantly reduced plasma insulin, triglyceride, and total cholesterol levels in obese Zucker rats. CYP2C11 and CYP2C23 proteins were downregulated in renal vessels of obese Zucker rats. Consequently, renal vascular epoxygenase activity decreased by 15% in obese Zucker rats compared with lean controls. Chronic fenofibrate treatment significantly increased renal cortical and vascular CYP2C11 and CYP2C23 protein levels in obese Zucker rats, whereas it had no effect on epoxygenase protein and activity in lean Zucker rats. Renal cortical and vascular epoxygenase activities were consequently increased by 54% and 18%, respectively, in fenofibrate-treated obese rats. In addition, acetylcholine (1 microM)-induced vasodilation was significantly reduced in obese Zucker kidneys (37% +/- 11%) compared with lean controls (67% +/- 9%). Chronic fenofibrate administration increased afferent arteriolar responses to 1 microM of acetylcholine in obese Zucker rats (69% +/- 4%). Inhibition of the epoxygenase pathway with 6-(2-propargyloxyphenyl)hexanoic acid attenuated afferent arteriolar diameter responses to acetylcholine to a greater extent in lean compared with obese Zucker rats. These results demonstrate that the PPAR-alpha agonist fenofibrate increased renal CYP-derived eicosanoids and restored endothelial dilator function in obese Zucker rats.     

Oxidative Stress in Young Zucker Rats with Impaired Glucose Tolerance is Diminished by Acarbose.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: There is evidence that acarbose reduces the risk for development of diabetes and cardiovascular complications. The mechanism underlying the vasculoprotective effect is however not known. We hypothesized that vasculoprotection observed by acarbose may be the consequence of a diminished generation of oxidative stress. METHODS: Lean and obese Zucker rats received a diet containing 10% sucrose for 7 days. A part of the rats was treated with acarbose (15 mg/kg/day in chow). Blood glucose, plasma insulin, lipid peroxides, and as a more specific marker of oxidative stress, 8-isoprostanes, were analyzed. As cellular markers of oxidative stress we determined the activities of mitochondrial aconitase and NADPH-oxidase in aorta, heart, and kidney. In addition, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase activity (PARP) was measured in aorta. RESULTS: Sucrose feeding of obese Zucker rats resulted in increased blood glucose levels, plasma insulin, lipid peroxides and 8-isoprostanes. Mitochondrial aconitase was reduced; the activities of NAPDH-oxidase and PARP were enhanced. Treatment of obese Zucker rats with acarbose largely prevented these changes, whereas it had no effect in lean sucrose fed rats. CONCLUSION: Specifically in obese Zucker rats sucrose feeding is associated with an increased oxidative stress. The data provide IN VIVO evidence that mitochondria play a role in the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in insulin resistant, hyperglycaemic states. Activation of PARP by ROS may be an important mediator of vascular dysfunction in insulin resistance. Treatment with acarbose is helpful to prevent the increase in oxidative stress and vascular dysfunction induced by hyperglycemia.     

Muscle morphological and biochemical adaptations to training in obese Zucker rats

The purposes of the present study were to characterize the histochemical and enzymatic profiles of various hindlimb skeletal muscles, as well as to determine maximal O2 consumption (VO2max) and respiratory exchange ratios (R) during steady-state exercise in the obese Zucker rat. The changes that occurred in these parameters in response to a 6-wk training program were then assessed. Obese rats were randomly assigned to a sedentary or training group. Lean littermates served as a second control. Training consisted of treadmill running at 18 m/min up an 8% grade, 1.5 h/day, 5 day/wk for 6 wk. During week 6, VO2max and R during a steady-state run (74% max) were determined. After 2 days of inactivity, hindlimb muscles were excised, stained for fiber type and capillaries, and assayed for hexokinase, citrate synthase, cytochrome oxidase, and beta-hydroxyacetyl-CoA dehydrogenase. The obese sedentary rats demonstrated greater oxidative enzyme activities per gram of muscle tissue than their lean littermates, greater R values during submaximal exercise of the same relative intensity, and greater absolute VO2max values. Training resulted in a 20-56% increase in oxidative enzymes, a 10% increase in VO2max, and an increase in capillary density in the soleus and plantaris. There was no alteration in R values during exercise at 74% VO2max or in fiber type composition in response to exercise training. Results suggest that the muscle of the obese Zucker rat manifests a greater oxidative capacity than the muscle of its lean littermates. The apparent inability of the obese rat to increase its use of fat during submaximal exercise of the same relative intensity in response to training remains to be elucidated.     

Hepatocyte mitochondrion respiratory chain in rats with experimental toxic hepatitis

The purpose of this study was to examine hepatocyte mitochondrion respiratory chain in rats subjected to ethanol and CCl4 administration within 4 weeks to induce an experimental hepatitis. Oxygen consumption was determined as a measure of mitochondrion respiration chain function. The development of liver pathology was accompanied by fat accumulation, fibrosis, triglycerides and lipid peroxidation increase. Respiratory chain characteristics damage was found. Endogenous oxygen consumption by hepatocytes isolated from pathological liver was found 34% higher compared to control. Exogenous malate and pyruvate substrates delivery didn't stimulate cell respiration. Rotenone (the inhibitor of the I complex) decreased 27% oxygen consumption by pathological hepatocytes while dinitrophenol produced 37% cell respiration increase. States 3 (V3) and 4 (V4) mitochondrial respiration with malate + glutamate as substrates were found to be 70 and 56% higher accordingly compared to control level. V3 and Vd (dinitrophenol respiration) for mitochondria from pathological liver didn't differ from control when being tested with malate + glutamate or succinate as substrates. Cytochrome c oxidase activity increased (+ 80%) as compared to control. Administration of hypolipidemic agent simvastatin simultaneously with ethanol and CC14 resulted in decrease liver fat accumulation, fibrosis and peroxidation products. Simvastatin administration caused hepatocyte endogenous respiration decrease while malate + pyruvate, dinitrophenol or rotenone delivery produced oxygen consumption alterations similar to control. However, when isolated mitochondria from liver of simvastatin treated animals being tested the decrease of oxidative phosphorylation coupling for substrates malate + glutamate was found. While simvastatin did not cause changes in cytochrome c oxidase activity. We propose the hypothesis that the NCCR complex in rat mitochondria with experimental toxic hepatitis works extensively on superoxydanion production. Alterations of SCCR, Coenzyme Q-cytochrome c-reductase, cytochrome c oxidase and ATP-synthase activities have an adaptive nature to compensate for impaired NCCR function.     

Effect of adrenalectomy on in vivo glucose metabolism in insulin resistant Zucker obese rats

Lean (Fa/?) and obese (fa/fa) Zucker rats were adrenalectomized (ADX) in order to assess the contribution of adrenal hormones to insulin resistance of the obese Zucker rat. Glucose utilization was measured using an insulin suppression test. Sham-operated obese rats gained almost twice as much weight as sham-operated lean littermates. However, body weight gain of ADX animals was comparable in both genotypes. It was significantly less than that of the respective sham-operated controls. Body weight differences can be accounted for almost entirely by a marked loss of adipose tissue. Although insulin resistance may be attributable to obesity in part, steroid hormones are thought to be directly antagonistic to insulin for glucose metabolism. Adrenalectomy resulted in a decrease in serum glucose concentrations for both lean and obese Zucker rats compared with their respective sham-operated groups. Serum insulin concentration of lean ADX rats was 23% of sham-operated controls; in obese ADX rats, it was 9% of controls. Elevated levels of steady state serum glucose (SSSG) levels in sham-operated obese rats demonstrate a marked resistance to insulin induced glucose uptake compared with sham-operated lean animals. Adrenalectomy caused a marked improvement in insulin sensitivity of obese rats. The hyperglycemic SSSG levels of the obese rats were reduced 2.5 times by ADX. These results indicate that insulin resistance of Zucker obese rats can be ameliorated by ADX, suggesting adrenal hormones contribute to insulin resistance in these animals.     

Decrease of cytochrome c oxidase protein in heart mitochondria of copper-deficient rats

Copper deficiency has been reported to be associated withdecreased cytochrome c oxidase activity, whichin turn may be responsible for theobserved mitochondrial impairment and cardiac failure. We isolatedmito-chondriafrom hearts of copper-deficient rats: cytochrome c oxidase activity was found to be lowerthan incopper-adequate mitochondria. The residual activity paralleled coppercontent of mitochondria and also corresponded with the heme amount associated with cytochromeaa3. In fact, lower absorption in thea-band region of cytochrome aa3 was foundfor copper-deficient rat heart mitochondria. Gel electrophoresisof protein extractedfrom mitochondrial membranes allowed measurements of protein content of thecomplexes ofoxidative phosphorylation, revealing a lower content of complex IV protein incopper-deficientrat heart mitochondria. The alterations caused by copper deficiency appear to bespecific forcytochrome c oxidase. Changes were not observed for F 0 F 1 ATP synthase activity,for heme contents ofcytochrome c and b, and for protein contents of complexes I, III and V.The present study demonstrates that the alteration of cytochrome c oxidase activityobserved in copper deficiency is due to a diminishedcontent of assembled protein and that shortnessof copper impairs heme insertion into cytochrome c oxidase.     

Hepatic glycogen synthase phosphatase and phosphorylase phosphatase activities are increased in obese (fa/fa) hyperinsulinemic Zucker rats: effects of glyburide administration

The chronically hyperinsulinemic Zucker fatty rat, with peripheral insulin resistance and glucose intolerance, represents a model of noninsulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). These animals have elevated hepatic glycogen levels. Hepatic levels of synthase phosphatase and phosphorylase phosphatase, which are diminished in the IDDM rat, were markedly increased in the obese rats. Glyburide, a sulfonylurea used in treatment of NIDDM, resulted in reduced levels of glycemia and increased insulin levels in Zucker rats. Hepatic glycogen levels were increased, as was the activation of glycogen synthase, although there were no effects of drug administration on synthase phosphatase or phosphorylase phosphatase activities. G6P levels were increased by glyburide in lean rats but not in obese animals. These effects of glyburide on liver glycogen metabolism are accounted for via potentiation of the glycogenic effects of insulin.