Glucose synthesis by isolated guinea-pig hepatocytes. Effect of cyclic AMP and dibutyryl cyclic AMP.

In isolated guinea-pig hepatocytes, dibutyryl cyclic AMP stimulated gluconeogenesis from 2 mM galactose by 25 and 40% respectively. In the presence of 0.5 mM theophylline, cyclic AMP (0.1 mM) increased glucose synthesis from lactate and galactose by 26 and 34% respectively.     

The effect of cyclic AMP on glycoprotein secretion in isolated rat hepatocytes

The effects of dibutyryl cyclic AMP on glycoprotein biosynthesis, intracellular mobilization, and secretion in isolated rat hepatocytes are described. Dibutyryl cyclic AMP (2.5 mm) initially suppresses [³H]glucosamine or [³H]fucose incorporation into cellular macromolecular material; however, after $\text{3}\text{1}\text{2}$ h, the incorporation of these radiolabeled carbohydrates into macromolecular material was stimulated relative to control cells. The stimulation in accumulation of cellular glycoprotein occurred in membrane-associated fractions, with most of this accumulation occurring in the Golgi elements. The glycoprotein produced in the presence of dibutyryl cyclic AMP was quantitatively precipitated by antibodies directed against rat serum, suggesting that the accumulated cellular material is normally destined for secretion from the cell. Dibutyryl cyclic AMP also produced a drastic inhibition of glycoprotein secretion which persisted during the cellular accumulation of glycosylated material. Exposure of the hepatocytes to colchicine (10 μm) produced a similar increase in accumulation of [³H]glucosamine-containing immunoprecipitable material in the cellular fraction and a similar inhibition in secretion. The initial dibutyryl cyclic AMP-mediated suppression of synthesis of intracellular glycosylated material occurred entirely in non-membrane-associated intracellular fractions. Also, the initial accumulation of [³H]glucosamine-containing immunoprecipitable material was not suppressed during the first $\text{3}\text{1}\text{2}$ h after exposure to dibutyryl cyclic AMP, suggesting the initial suppression represents a metabolic process unrelated to secretion. The incorporation of [³H]leucine into macromolecular material was inhibited in both cellular and secreted fractions after exposure to dibutyryl cyclic AMP; however, the accumulation into the extracellular environment was inhibited to a greater extent. The patterns of [³H]glucosamine-containing lipid biosynthesis were unaffected by dibutyryl cyclic AMP.     

Combined effect of phorbol ester and, A23187 or dibutyryl cyclic AMP on pepsinogen secretion from isolated gastric glands

In isolated guinea pig gastric glands, pepsinogen secretion was stimulated by the phorbol ester, 12-0-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) in a dose dependent manner. Calcium-deprivation from the medium resulted in the decrease in TPA-induced pepsinogen secretion. The combination of 0.4 microM Ca2+ionophore A23187 and TPA stimulated pepsinogen secretion slightly higher than the calculated additive value for each agent. This synergistic effect of the agents supports a role of calcium-activated, phospholipid-dependent protein Kinase (protein Kinase C) in gastric pepsinogen secretion. Furthermore, pepsinogen secretion was also stimulated by dibutyryl cyclic AMP (dbc AMP) and dbc AMP slightly enhanced TPA-induced pepsinogen secretion. Results suggest that gastric chief cells possess at least two different secretory pathways for pepsinogen which are probably dependent on protein kinase C and cyclic AMP, respectively.     

Effects of cyclic AMP and dibutyryl cyclic AMP on amino acid transport in the isolated rat ovary.

Prepubertal rat ovaries were incubated in medium containing the non-utilizable amino acids alpha-aminoisobutyric acid (AIB-14C) or 1-aminocyclo-pentane-carboxylic acid (cycloleucine-14C). The rate of uptake of the two amino acids was studied in the isolated ovaries after different incubation periods. Addition of 5mM cyclic AMP (cAMP) caused a slight stimulation of the AIB-transport but in higher concentrations (10-25 mM) an inhibition was noted. With dibutyrl cyclic AMP (dbcAMP) a dose-dependent increase was seen with 0.5-5 mM concentrations with no further effect of higher concentrations. Time course studies were performed with both AIB and cycloleucine in presence of 10 mM dbcAMP and increased uptake values were noted at each time studied (30-240 min). The phosphodiesterase inhibitor aminophyline in lower concentrations did not influence AIB-transport but 5-10 mM caused increased uptake values in the ovaries. The stimulatory action of dbcAMP on amino acid transport was augmented by a low concentration of aminophylline (0.5 mM). Experiments were in addition carried out in the presence of puromycin and under these circumstances it was still possible to enhance amino acid transport by addition of dbcAMP. The results are discussed in relation to earlier reported effects of gonadotropins on ovarian amino acid transport.     

The effect of dibutyryl cyclic AMP on the uptake of taurocholic acid by isolated rat liver cells

The effect of dibutyryl cyclic AMP on the uptake of taurocholic acid by isolated rat hepatocytes was studied. In the presence of low levels (10–100 μM) of the cyclic nucleotide the initial rate of uptake was increased significantly, with a peak occurring at about 20 μM. In contrast, concentrations of dibutyryl cyclic AMP between 200 μM and 1 mM caused a significant decrease in the initial rate of uptake of the bile acid by the cells. Sodium-dependent transport of taurocholic acid was found to be enhanced by 20 μM dibutyryl cyclic AMP, but sodium-independent uptake appeared to be unaffected. Inhibition by 1 mM dibutyryl cyclic AMP, however, was found to occur in both the sodium-dependent and -independent components of the transport system. The initial rate of taurocholic acid uptake in hepatocytes incubated with 1.2 mM extracellular calcium was increased compared to that in calcium-depleted cells, and this increase was entirely due to enhanced sodium-dependent transport. 1.2 mM calcium and 20 μM dibutyryl cyclic AMP together did not stimulate the uptake rate to a greater extent either treatment alone. It is conclude that calcium and low levels of dibutyryl cyclic AMP alter the rate of taurocholic acid uptake by changing the flux of sodium in the hepatocytes. The inhibitory effect of 1 mM dibutyryl cyclic AMP was not relieved by the presence of 1.2 mM calcium in the cell incubation medium. The results show that dibutyryl cyclic AMP can affect the rate of transport of bile acid into liver cells, and suggest a possible regulatory role for cyclic AMP in this process.     

The effect of dibutyryl cyclic AMP on the excretion of taurocholic acid from isolated rat liver cells

Dibutyryl cyclic AMP (50-1000 microM) was found to increase the initial rate of efflux of taurocholic acid from isolated rat hepatocytes. Efflux of the bile acid was inhibited by sodium, and in the absence of sodium dibutyryl cyclic AMP failed to stimulate the rate. Increasing the concentration of calcium from 0 to 1.2 mM had no effect on the initial rate of taurocholic acid efflux from the cells, but the absence of calcium markedly reduced the effect of dibutyryl cyclic AMP. The results suggest that changes in the fluxes of sodium and calcium are involved in the effect of the cyclic nucleotide on taurocholic acid efflux from the cells.     

Bidirectional concentration-dependent effects of glucagon and dibutyryl cyclic AMP on DNA synthesis in cultured adult rat hepatocytes

Glucagon and dibutyryl cyclic AMP exerted both stimulatory and inhibitory effects on hepatocyte DNA synthesis when added to primary monolayer cultures in the presence of serum, dexamethasone, insulin and epidermal growth factor. The stimulation occurred at low concentrations of glucagon (1 pM-1 nM) or dibutyryl cyclic AMP (1 nM-1 microM), while the agents inhibited DNA synthesis at higher concentrations (usually glucagon at over 10 nM or dibutyryl cyclic AMP at over 10 microM). The stimulatory effect was stronger at low cell densities (less than 20 X 10(3) hepatocytes/cm2). When the hepatocytes were cultured at higher densities, stimulatory effects were reduced or absent and the inhibition of (hormone-induced) DNA synthesis by a high concentration of glucagon was much more pronounced than at low cell densities. These results indicate dual, bidirectional, effects of cyclic AMP on hepatocyte DNA synthesis.     

Influence of A23187 and dibutyryl cyclic AMP on progestagen production by rat granulosa cells in vitro

The gonadotrophic regulation of progesterone production by rat granulosa cells was examined in a chemically-defined medium containing FSH, dibutyryl cyclic AMP [Bu)2cAMP) and the calcium ionophore, A23187. FSH and A23187 alone significantly enhanced the production of pregnenolone, progesterone and its metabolite, 20 alpha-hydroxypregn-4-en-3-one (20 alpha-OH-P) from endogenous substrate(s). Stimulation of progesterone production by A23187 was accompanied by an increase in 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3 beta-HSD) but not 20 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (20 alpha-HSD) activity, as attested by enhancement of the metabolism of exogenous pregnenolone to progesterone but not of progesterone to 20 alpha-OH-P. In contrast, although (Bu)2cAMP increased pregnenolone and progesterone production and the metabolism of exogenous progesterone to 20 alpha-OH-P, it failed to stimulate the conversion of exogenous pregnenolone to progesterone. The increase in progesterone production and in the conversion of exogenous pregnenolone to progesterone by FSH and A23187 was concentration- and time-dependent. Whereas maximal stimulation of de-novo progesterone synthesis by FSH was evident by 6 h (earliest time examined), a significant increase in the conversion of exogenous pregnenolone to progesterone in the presence of FSH or the ionophore was not noted until 12 h of incubation. Although a small but significant increase in progesterone production was also noted as early as 6 h of incubation in the presence of the calcium ionophore, this was markedly smaller than that elicited by FSH. We conclude that the calcium ionophore A23187 and (Bu)2cAMP have similar as well as distinct effects on progesterone production in rat granulosa cells in vitro.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Age-related decrease in sensitivity to glucagon and dibutyryl cyclic AMP inhibition of fatty acid synthesis in hepatocytes isolated from obese female Zucker rats

Hepatocytes were isolated from 3 and 5 month old female genetically obese Zucker rats and their lean littermate controls. An age-dependent loss in sensitivity of fatty acid synthesis to inhibition by both glucagon and dibutyryl cyclic AMP was observed with hepatocytes from the obese rats. Hepatocytes from lean animals were much more sensitive to these agents, regardless of age. Low concentrations of glucagon and dibutyryl cyclic AMP actually produced some stimulation of fatty acid synthesis with hepatocytes prepared from the older obese rats. 5-Tetradecyloxy-2-furoic acid, a compound which inhibits fatty acid synthesis, was a very effective inhibitor of fatty acid synthesis by hepatocytes isolated from all rats used in the study. An inhibition of lactate plus pyruvate accumulation and a strong stimulation of glycogenolysis occurred in response to both glucagon and dibutyryl cyclic AMP with hepatocytes from both age groups of lean and obese rats. The results suggest that with aging of the obese female Zucker rat some step of hepatic fatty acid synthesis becomes progressively less sensitive to inhibition by glucagon and dibutyryl cyclic AMP. This may play an important role in maintenance of obesity in these animals.     

The effect of chylomicron remnants on bile acid synthesis in cultured rat hepatocytes

The effect of chylomicron remnants on bile acid synthesis in isolated rat hepatocytes in monolayer cultures was investigated. Production of bile acids by the cells in the presence of chylomicron remnants at a cholesterol concentration of 7.8-9 nmol/ml was increased by approx. 75% after 17 h and 25% after 24 h incubation. Similar concentrations of cholesterol added to the cells in the form of chylomicrons had no significant effect on bile acid synthesis. These results suggest that cholesterol taken up in chylomicron remnants may be an important source of substrate for bile acid synthesis.     

Effects of verapamil on lipolysis due to dibutyryl cyclic AMP.

The effects of verapamil, a calcium antagonist, on lipolysis in isolated rat adipocytes were studied. Verapamil (100 microM) potentiated lipolysis due to dibutyryl cyclic AMP (Bt2cAMP) at submaximal concentrations, with or without extracellular Ca2+. Lipolysis due to 0.5 mM-Bt2cAMP was potentiated by verapamil in a dose-dependent manner up to 200 microM, whereas at concentrations higher than 100 microM the stimulatory effect of verapamil was progressively diminished with or without extracellular Ca2+. Verapamil showed only an inhibitory effect on lipolysis due to adrenaline (0.1-10 microM) or 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX; 25-200 microM). The stimulatory effect of verapamil on lipolysis due to Bt2cAMP was not blocked by alpha-adrenergic antagonists. These results suggest (i) that verapamil has a biphasic effect on lipolysis due to Bt2cAMP and only an inhibitory effect on that due to adrenaline or IBMX, and (ii) that extracellular Ca2+ or alpha-adrenergic receptors are not involved in the action of verapamil.     

Effect of somatomedin A and insulin on cyclic AMP generation in isolated rat hepatocytes

Insulin and somatomedin A were shown to have inhibitory action on glucagon stimulated but not basal cyclic AMP production in isolated rat hepatocytes. The inhibition was dose-dependent and the potency per mol was about 100 fold higher for insulin than for somatomedin A.     

Phorbol ester stimulates calcitonin secretion synergistically with A23187, and additively with dibutyryl cyclic AMP in a rat C-cell line

The mechanism of action of 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) on calcitonin secretion was studied in a rat C-cell line, rMTC 6–23. TPA stimulated calcitonin secretion at the concentration of 16nM. This effect was synergistically enhanced with calcium ionophore, A23187. Synthetic diacylglycerol, 1-oleoyl-2-acetyl-glycerol (OAG), also showed a synergism with A23187 on calcitonin secretion. When dibutyryl cyclic AMP was added with TPA, an additive effect was obtained. These data suggest that C-kinase might be a possible regulator of calcitonin secretion in addition to the cyclic AMP-mediated pathway.     

Evidence for a dual effect of dibutyryl cyclic AMP on the synthesis of tyrosine aminotransferase in rat liver

A single injection of dibutyryl cyclic AMP (Bt2cAMP) into adrenalectomized rats results in rapid and proportionate increases in hepatic tyrosine aminotransferase catalytic activity and in the amount of functional mRNA coding for this enzyme. This effect is transient in that mRNATAT peaks at 0.065% of total poly(A)+RNA activity at 1 h and is back to the basal level of 0.012% in 2.5 h. Enzyme activity peaks at 2.5 h and is back to the basal level by 5 h. If Bt2cAMP is repeatedly injected (0, 1, 2.5, and 4 h), enzyme activity remains at maximal levels for 4 to 5 h, whereas changes in mRNATAT activity are identical with those observed in the single injected rats. The rate of tyrosine aminotransferase synthesis at 5.5 h in the multiply injected rats, a time when mRNATAT has already returned to the basal level, is 3 to 4 times greater than that in either control or singly injected rats at the same time (0.3% of total protein versus 0.07%) and is equivalent to the maximal rate seen 1 h after the initial injection of the cyclic nucleotide. Since the rate of synthesis is increased in proportion to the increase in enzyme catalytic activity, stabilization of the enzyme against degradation is excluded as an induction mechanism at this late time point. These responses are not due to differences in the metabolism of Bt2cAMP, and the effect depends on the presence of metabolically active derivatives of this nucleotide. It thus appears that Bt2cAMP induces the synthesis of tyrosine aminotransferase in rat liver in two distinct ways. One is pretranslational and involves a transient and rapid increase in mRNATAT activity. The second appears to involve a delayed but sustained increase in translation of a basal level of mRNATAT.     

Transformation-dependent effect of dibutyryl cyclic AMP on surface properties of rat cultured cells

The possible differential effect of dibutyryl cyclic AMP on the surface properties of ts-NT3-KR rat cells that express a normal phenotype at 37 degrees C and a transformed morphology and behavior at 33 degrees C has been studied. Electrophoretic examination of glycosylated macromolecules revealed a 350,000 dalton glycoconjugate in phenotypically normal cells but not in the corresponding samples from phenotypically transformed cells or in phenotypically "normal" cells rounded by exposure to the cyclic nucleotide. A decreased exposure of a major 100,000 dalton surface component characteristic of cells that expressed a transformed phenotype, was observed when the corresponding cultures were exposed to dibutyryl cyclic AMP. No change in the 230,000 dalton fibronectinlike molecule of phenotypically normal cells was apparent even in the corresponding cultures exposed to the cyclic nucleotide.     

The effect of verapamil and the calcium ionophore A 23187 on the calcium and phosphorus content of bone

Verapamil was administered 30 days to adult male rats in a dose of 2 mg/rat per day and the calcium ionophore A 23187 to another group in a dose of 10 micrograms/rat per day. After verapamil, the bone calcium and phosphorus concentration rose significantly compared with the control group, whereas after ionophore A 23187 the bone calcium concentration fell statistically significantly.