Hormone-dependent lipolysis in fat-cells from thyroidectomized rats

Triiodothyronine regulates beta 3-adrenoceptor expression in 3T3-F442A differentiating adipocytes

The effect of thyroid hormones on the beta 3-adrenoceptor expression was studied in the preadipose 3T3-F442A cell line. As assessed by molecular and pharmacological analyses, triiodothyronine addition to differentiating 3T3-F442A cells caused a 2.3-fold increase in beta 3-adrenoceptor mRNA levels, which was correlated with a parallel induction of beta 3-adrenoceptor number and of beta 3-adrenoceptor coupling to the adenylate cyclase system. Nuclear transcription experiments showed that triiodothyronine did not significantly alter the transcription rate of the beta 3-adrenoceptor gene. By contrast, the hormone increased by 36% the half-life of beta 3-adrenoceptor mRNA. Triiodothyronine exhibited a discrete effect on beta 3-adrenoceptor expression when added to mature 3T3-F442A adipocytes. This study indicates that thyroid hormones exert a differentiation-dependent and post-transcriptional regulation of beta 3-adrenoceptor expression in adipocytes.

Effect of thyroid hormone status on the expression of the mRNAs of components of the lipolytic regulatory cascade in brown adipose tissue

1. The levels of mRNAs for RII beta and G beta were about 50% lower in brown adipose tissue (BAT) from hyperthyroid than from hypothyroid rats. 2. Treatment of hypothyroid rats with T3 resulted in a 50% decrease in mRNAs for RII beta and G beta in BAT occurring by 12 hr after treatment. 3. The levels of mRNAs for hormone-sensitive lipase, G alpha s and C alpha in BAT were unchanged by thyroid hormone status. 4. The results suggest that thyroid hormone may be involved in negative regulation of the expression of RII beta and G beta at the transcriptional level in BAT.

The effect of triiodothyronine on glucose utilization in adipocytes from obese rats

1. In the presence of insulin, 10(-5) M 3,3',5-triiodothyronine (T3) treatment for 1/2 hr decreased fatty acid synthesis 35% only in adipocytes from lean rats, whereas at 10(-11) M through 10(-7) M T3 the obese adipocytes had nearly a 20% increase in fatty acid synthesis. 2. A 2 hr pretreatment of adipocytes with 10(-9) and 10(-7) M T3 decreased insulin-stimulated fatty acid synthesis by nearly 20% in both lean and obese adipocytes. 3. In the absence of insulin, the 2 hr pretreatment with 10(-9) M T3 resulted in a 45% increase in lean adipocyte fatty acid synthesis, though the obese adipocytes required at least 10(-7) M T3 for 2 hr to increase the non-insulin-stimulated fatty acid synthesis by 50%. 4. At 10(-9) M T3 concentrations non-insulin-stimulated fatty acid synthesis was increased by 200% in lean adipose tissue explants, but obese adipose explants were not significantly affected under these conditions. 5. The addition of 10(-9) M T3 plus insulin to the explant media decreased fatty acid synthesis by 35% in both the lean and obese tissues. 6. The results also imply that the low T3 status of the obese rat may be contributory to the elevated fatty acid synthesis observed in obese adipocytes.

Guanine-nucleotide-binding proteins Gi and Gs in fat-cells from normal, hypothyroid and obese human subjects

In human adipocyte plasma membranes, pertussis toxin catalysed the ADP-ribosylation of an apparently single 40 kDa protein. The same protein was also observed in Western blots by using an antibody which identifies the C-terminal decapeptide of Gi alpha (alpha subunit of Gi). In analogous experiments, cholera toxin and an antibody raised against the C-terminal decapeptide of Gs alpha (alpha subunit of Gs) were used to identify two proteins of 42 and 45 kDa, the former of which was more prominent. A method was developed to estimate the relative amounts of Gi and Gs in crude adipocyte plasma membranes in a single immunoblot by using the two antisera. In animal models, changes in the amounts of G-proteins have been suggested to explain alterations in hormone-responsiveness in hypothyroidism and obesity. However, the amounts of Gi and Gs were unaltered in thyroidectomized papillary-carcinoma patients who had been without hormone substitution for 4 weeks. In adipocyte plasma membranes prepared from markedly obese subjects, the amounts of both Gi alpha and Gs alpha as calculated per mg of protein were decreased, but the Gi/Gs ratio remained unaltered in comparison with control subjects.

Alpha 2- and beta-adrenergic receptor binding and action in gluteal adipocytes from patients with hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism

The alpha 2- and beta-adrenergic receptor activities have been investigated in human adipocytes in relation to thyroid status. Adipocytes from 11 hypothyroid and 18 hyperthyroid were compared with 19 euthyroid (normal) subjects. The lipolytic and cAMP responses to isoproterenol and epinephrine were greatly enhanced in adipocytes from hyperthyroid subjects (P less than .01) and impaired in adipocytes from hypothyroid subjects (P less than .05). However, the antilipolytic effect of clonidine (alpha 2-agonist) and the effect of clonidine on cAMP were similar in all three groups. The alpha 2- and beta-receptor numbers were both slightly increased in hyperthyroidism, but the ratio between the alpha 2- and beta-receptors was unchanged in relation to normal subjects. On the other hand, the adrenergic binding to adipocyte membranes from hypothyroid subjects was reduced, and the beta-receptor binding was reduced even much more (50%) than the alpha 2-receptor binding (20%, P less than .01). Thus, the alpha 2- and beta-receptor ratio was almost doubled in hypothyroid adipocytes (P less than .01). The antagonist affinity against the adrenergic receptors (determined by propranolol and yohimbine, respectively) was unchanged in the three groups. Agonist binding determined in intact adipocytes revealed unaltered affinity of clonidine for the alpha 2-receptor in the three groups. In hyperthyroidism, though, there was enhanced affinity of isoproterenol in competition with the beta-receptor (P less than .05). It is concluded that the inhibitory alpha 2-receptor pathway functions normally in all groups, indicating that the alpha 2-receptors and the alpha 2-receptor-mediated pathway in human adipocytes are relatively unaffected by thyroid hormones.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Short-term hyperthyroidism modulates adenosine receptors and catalytic activity of adenylate cyclase in adipocytes

The effects of short-term hyperthyroidism in vivo on the status of the components of the fat-cell hormone-sensitive adenylate cyclase were investigated. The number of beta-adrenergic receptors was elevated by about 25% in membranes of fat-cells isolated from hyperthyroid rats as compared with euthyroid rats, but their affinity for radioligand was unchanged. Membranes of hyperthyroid-rat fat-cells displayed less than 65% of the normal complement of receptors for [3H]cyclohexyladenosine. The affinity of the receptors for this ligand was normal. In contrast with the marked increase in the amounts of the alpha-subunits of the guanine nucleotide-binding proteins Gi (Mr 41,000) and Go (Mr 39,000) observed in the hypothyroid state [Malbon, Rapiejko & Mangano (1985) J. Biol. Chem. 260, 2558-2564], the amounts of alpha-Gi, alpha-Go as well as alpha-Gs subunits [Mr 42,000 (major) and 46,000/48,000 (minor)] were not changed by hyperthyroidism. Adenylate cyclase activity in response to forskolin, guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate or isoprenaline, in contrast, was decreased by 30-50% in fat-cell membranes from hyperthyroid rats. Fat-cells isolated from hyperthyroid rats accumulated cyclic AMP to less than 50% of the extent in their euthyroid counterparts in the presence of adenosine deaminase and either adrenaline or forskolin, suggesting a decrease in the amount or activity of the catalytic subunit of adenylate cyclase. In the absence of exogenous adenosine deaminase, cyclic AMP accumulation in response to adrenaline was elevated rather than decreased in fat-cells from hyperthyroid rats. The inhibitory influence of adenosine is apparently limited in the hyperthyroid state by the decreased complement of inhibitory R-site purinergic receptors in these fat-cells. Short-term hyperthyroidism modulates the fat-cell adenylate cyclase system at the receptor level (beta-receptor number increased, R-site purinergic-receptor number decreased) and the catalytic subunit of adenylate cyclase.

Sensitivity of adipocyte lipolysis to stimulatory and inhibitory agonists in hypothyroidism and starvation

The responsiveness of lipolysis to the stimulatory agonists noradrenaline, corticotropin and glucagon and to the inhibitory agonists N6-phenylisopropyladenosine, prostaglandin E1 and nicotinic acid was investigated with rat white adipocytes incubated with a high concentration of adenosine deaminase (1 unit/ml). The cells were obtained from fed or 48 h-starved euthyroid animals or from fed or starved animals rendered hypothyroid by 4 weeks of treatment with low-iodine diet and propylthiouracil. Hypothyroidism increased sensitivity to and efficacy of all three inhibitory agonists in their opposition of noradrenaline-stimulated lipolysis. Starvation decreased sensitivity to all three inhibitory agonists when opposing basal lipolysis. Hypothyroidism decreased sensitivity to noradrenaline, glucagon and corticotropin by 37-, 4- and 4-fold respectively and decreased the maximum response to these agonists by approx. 50%, 50% and 75% respectively. Starvation reversed decreases in maximum response to these agonists in hypothyroidism. Starvation in the euthyroid state increased sensitivity to glucagon and noradrenaline, but did not alter sensitivity to corticotropin. Cells from hypothyroid rats were relatively insensitive to Bordetella pertussis toxin, which substantially increased basal lipolysis in the euthyroid state.

Physiological responses of the adult male collared peccary, Tayassu tajacu (Tayassuidae), to severe dietary restriction

Metabolic and hormonal responses of eight adult male collared peccaries (Tayassu tajacu) to an ad libitum diet intake, or 25% of an ad libitum intake, were examined. Blood samples for hematological, serum-biochemical and hormonal profiles were collected at three week intervals during the nine week experiment starting 4 August 1983. Males fed on the restricted diet lost an average of 26% of their body weight during the trial, compared to a slight weight gain for those fed ad libitum. Characteristics of the red and white blood cell populations were not influenced by diet intake, with the exception of mean corpuscular volume, which was consistently lower amongst males fed on the restricted diet. Restricted food intake resulted in significantly elevated serum values for urea nitrogen, urea nitrogen:creatinine, urea index, alpha globulin:beta globulin, gamma globulin:albumin, nonesterified fatty acids, alkaline phosphatase and lactate dehydrogenase isozymes (LD1 and LD2). Restricted food intake resulted in significantly lowered serum values for total alpha globulin, alpha-1 globulin, total beta globulin, beta-1 globulin, beta-2 globulin, glucose, triglycerides, calcium, magnesium, sodium, chloride, copper and triiodothyronine. Serum levels of creatinine, total protein, albumin, alpha-2 globulin, uric acid, total bilirubin, cholesterol, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, gamma glutamyltransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, phosphorus, calcium:phosphorus, potassium, iron, zinc and thyroxine were unaffected by diet intake level. Semen evaluation indicated spermatogenesis was not affected by dietary restriction despite reductions in scrotal circumference and ejaculate gel volume. Serum testosterone levels were significantly lower among males fed on the restricted diet after nine weeks. These data suggest male libido might be depressed during poor range conditions, while maintenance of spermatogenesis might permit them to take immediate advantage of improved range conditions. Blood analysis of metabolic and hormonal function can provide useful information for predicting the adult male's nutritional and reproductive condition.

In vitro effect of thyroid hormones on lipolysis of rat fat cells during aging

The in vitro effect of triiodothyronine (T3) 10(-5) M upon lipolysis was studied on white fat cells isolated from 1.5-6- and 30-month-old rats. We couldn't see any consistent effect of this hormone upon the basal lipolysis. We observed a T3 effect on epinephrine-stimulated lipolysis on the three groups of animals. After 1 h of incubation the increase of glycerol release varies with the dose of epinephrine; after 3 h the T3 effect persisted only in the 6-month and 30-month groups.

Thyroid hormones and fat cell phosphorylation

The phosphorylation of cytosolic and plasma membrane proteins was studied in isolated fat cells from euthyroid and thyroidectomized rats. The analysis, by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, of subcellular fractions of 32P-labelled fat cells revealed the presence of 10-12 phosphoprotein bands in the cytosol. The washed plasma membrane fraction contained 4 major phosphoproteins with estimated molecular weights of 70-67, 60, 42-40 and 26-22 kDa. Two-dimensional analysis of the 32P-labelled phosphoproteins showed that their isoelectric points were between 6.3 and 4.1. The profiles and the isoelectric points were similar in fat cells from euthyroid and thyroidectomized rats. The state of hypothyroidism did not affect the basal phosphorylation of fat cell proteins of the cytosolic or plasma membrane fractions. The incubation of fat cells from euthyroid rats in the presence of isoproterenol or dibutyryl adenosine cyclic monophosphate led to (a) an increase in the 32P labelling of cytosolic proteins which may be subunits of acetyl CoA carboxylase, ATP citrate lyase, hormone-sensitive lipase and other proteins, with apparent molecular weights between 50 and 42 kDa, and (b) an increase in the 32P labelling of plasma membrane proteins of 26-22 kDa. In the case of fat cells from hypothyroid rats, the dibutyryl adenosine cyclic monophosphate increased the 32P labelling of plasma membrane proteins, whereas in the presence of isoproterenol these reactions did not occur. These results show that thyroid hormones control the 32P labelling of proteins of the cytosol and plasma membrane fractions of rat fat cells and therefore, at least in some cases, the lipolytic and lipogenic pathways.

Changes in the anti-lipolytic action and binding to plasma membranes of N6-L-phenylisopropyladenosine in adipocytes from starved and hypothyroid rats

The anti-lipolytic effect of the adenosine analogue N6-L-phenylisopropyladenosine was studied with rat adipocytes incubated with a high concentration of adenosine deaminase (0.5 unit/ml, approx. 2.5 micrograms/ml) and concentrations of noradrenaline that were equieffective in different physiological states. These studies were performed to compare the fed and starved (24h) states and to compare a hypothyroid state (induced by feeding propylthiouracil + a low-iodine diet) with the euthyroid state. Starvation increased sensitivity of the cells to the lipolytic action of noradrenaline, while decreasing sensitivity to the antilipolytic action of phenylisopropyladenosine. Hypothyroidism resulted in decreased sensitivity to noradrenaline and increased sensitivity to phenylisopropyladenosine. Studies of the binding of [3H]phenylisopropyladenosine to adipocyte plasma membranes indicated heterogeneity of binding sites or negative co-operativity in the binding. Starvation did not change [3H]phenylisopropyladenosine binding to membranes, whereas hypothyroidism caused an unexpected decrease in both the number and affinity of the binding sites. These observations are discussed in terms of the dual regulation of adipose-tissue lipolysis by lipolytic and anti-lipolytic agents.

Effects of electrical stimulation in vivo of M. pectoralis on carbohydrate metabolism with reference to certain liver and blood values in the pigeon

The pectoralis muscles of two groups of anaesthetized pigeons were exercised in vivo by electrical stimulation for periods of 1 h and 5 h respectively. There was no significant change from controls in the level of blood glucose in both groups. Blood lactate level was significantly higher in the exercised groups but was relatively lower in the 5-h control group in comparison with its 1-h counter part. Blood lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity was significantly higher in the 1-h stimulated pigeons as was also the case with liver LDH in the same group but markedly lower in the 5-h ones. No significant change was seen in liver glycogen content in the stimulated pigeons. Liver phosphorylase activity was markedly low in the 5-h stimulated pigeons as was also the case with liver LDH activity. Circulating level of corticosterone was significantly higher in both the stimulated groups. Blood thyroxine (T4) as well as triiodothyronine (T3) levels were considerably reduced in both stimulated groups. The T3/T4 ratio was higher in the 5-h stimulated pigeons. It was concluded that, while initially carbohydrate was used as fuel for exercise, in prolonged exercise, lipid became the chief fuel as was shown in earlier studies. While fat continued to be used as the main fuel, carbohydrate was spared and also gluconeogenesis was enhanced. It was also concluded that the rôle of the thyroid hormones in promoting oxidative metabolism was enhanced by markedly increasing peripheral deiodination of T4 to T3 in prolonged exercise.

Accumulation and inactivation of adenosine by fat cells from hypothyroid rats

It has been suggested that the deficient lipolytic response to catecholamines in hypothyroidism may be due to an increased sensitivity to adenosine and/or increased adenosine levels in this condition. We confirmed that the addition of adenosine deaminase enhanced the lipolytic response of hypothyroid fat cells, but the stimulation was at least as large in euthyroid cells. Adenosine analogs were more potent as antagonists of NA-induced lipolysis in hypothyroid than in euthyroid fat cells, but the difference could be explained by a decreased response to NA. Suspensions of hypothyroid cells accumulated more purine nucleosides (115 +/- 20) than did euthyroid cells (48 +/- 8 pmol/30 min/10(5) cells; p less than 0.01). This difference could not be explained by a lower rate of adenosine elimination, which occurred by three different pathways: uptake followed by phosphorylation, uptake followed by deamination and deamination by the serum albumin preparation. Under certain circumstances the latter pathway is of overwhelming importance. Fat cells from mature rats (460-480 g) behaved similarly as cells from young control rats. Thus, the changes induced by hypothyroidism was not due to a developmental change. The results are discussed in relation to earlier findings on the alterations in catecholamine responsiveness in hypothyroidism. It is concluded that an increased influence of adenosine could possibly explain some aspects of altered catecholamine responsiveness. If it does the mechanism is likely to involve an enhanced amount of adenosine rather than an increased sensitivity to adenosine.

Effects of thyroid hormone deficiency on lipolysis in chicken fat cells

Effect of lack of thyroid hormones on lipolysis in chicken fat cells was studied. Isolated fat cells from hypothyroid chickens in contrast to normal animals, have an impaired ability to give lipolytic response to glucagon. However activation of triglyceride lipolysis was induced to the same level by theophylline in hypothyroid and normal chickens.

Impaired metabolic response to nerve stimulation in brown adipose tissue of hypothyroid rats

In brown adipose tissue of the rat, chemically or surgically induced hypothyroidism caused the following effects. A large decrease of the magnitude of the metabolic response to electrical nerve stimulation. The deactivation half-time of the response was reduced to 70% of the control value, with no change in catechol O-methyltransferase activity. Pre-incubation of tissues with norepinephrine, 10(-5) M, increased the response to subsequent nerve stimulation almost to that of the controls. The catecholamine analogue dose-response curves were shifted to the right. The shift was very pronounced for isoproterenol (K50 426 nM versus 2 nM), somewhat less marked for norepinephrine (7373 nM versus 194) and very slight for phenylephrine (2803 nM versus 1649); there was almost no change in Emax values. An increase of octanoate oxidative capacity. A decrease of the capacity of the stereoselective binding of (-)-[3H]dihydroalprenolol of the high-affinity (Kd 2.0 nM) sites to a fourth of the control value and an increase by a factor of 2.9 of the Kd of the low-affinity binding sites. This decrease of binding to the beta-receptors was not sufficient quantitatively to explain the decrease in the metabolic response, suggesting the existence of an additional defective reaction which could occur between the binding to the beta-receptors and the activation of the triglyceride lipase. These results show that the sharp decrease of the metabolic response of brown adipose tissue to nerve stimulation has multiple causes. The findings are discussed in the context of the drastic decrease of cold resistance in hypothyroid rats.

Theoretical analysis of the consequences of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase negative co-operativity. Amplification and positive co-operativity of cyclic AMP accumulation

Most tissues contain multiple forms of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (3':5'-cyclic-nucleotide 5' nucleotidohydrolase, EC 3.1.4.17). Consequently, in most, if not in all, tissues, substrate-velocity curves deviate from Michaelian kinetics and exhibit an apparent negative co-operativity. We have studied the possible theoretical consequences of this property on the quantitative features of cyclic AMP accumulation in response to activation of adenylate cyclase. Negative co-operativity of phosphodiesterases tends to generate a "positively co-operative" cyclic AMP accumulation curve. It amplifies the stimulation of cyclic AMP accumulation as compared with the stimulation of cyclic AMP synthesis. It enhances the sensitivity of cyclic AMP accumulation to slight variation of phosphodiesterase maximal velocity. It tends to shift the cyclic AMP accumulation curve to higher concentrations of stimulator as compared with the adenylate cyclase activation curve. This accounts for much of the data in the literature of hormonal effects on phosphodiesterase activity. It shows that the characteristics of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases are as important as those of adenylate cyclase in determining the response of the system.

Regulation of lipogenesis in adipocytes. Independent effects of thyroid hormones, cyclic AMP and insulin on the uptake of deoxy-D-glucose

Thyroidectomy is known to enhance fat cell phosphodiesterase activity; as a result, the response to lipolytic hormones is markedly reduced. Thyroidectomy also stimulates overall lipogenesis and the uptake of glucose: the present experiments investigated whether there was a correlation between cyclic AMP and glucose uptake. The parameter measured was the transport and phosphorylation (uptake) of deoxy-D-glucose in the presence of two modifiers of the cyclic AMP pool: phosphodiesterase inhibitors and the analogue, dibutyryl cyclic AMP. The inhibition by methylxanthines and dibutyryl cyclic AMP of deoxy-D-glucose uptake observed, was the same in fat cells from normal and thyroidectomized rats: the latter nonetheless still maintained their enhanced glucose uptake. It was therefore concluded that thyroid hormones and cyclic AMP control this step by different, separate pathways. Insulin, well known for its lipogenic effect, enhanced deoxy-D-glucose uptake in fat cells from both normal and thyroidectomized rats to the same extent (about 40%). An additive effect of thyroidectomy and insulin on glucose uptake was thus demonstrated. These results imply that glucose uptake in the adipocyte is controlled by at least three factors: thyroid hormones, cyclic AMP and insulin, each of which can act independently. Maximum glucose uptake is achieved in the presence of a combination of low concentrations of cyclic AMP, of insulin, and in the absence of thyroid hormones.

Cyclic AMP and lipogenesis in fat cells from thyroidectomized rats

Thyroid hormones regulate lipid metabolism by affecting lipogenesis as well as lipolysis. The present paper discusses the way thyroidectomy induced an enhancement in lipogenesis in rat fat cells. The doubling in the conversion of glucose to CO2 and fatty acids seen after thyroidectomy was found to be due to a modification in the actual pathway of glucose metabolism: there was a preferential stimulation of the conversion of glucose to CO2 by the pentose cycle (utilisation of [1-14C]glucose) while the production of fatty acids and glyceride-glycerol proceeded, respectively, much more, or only slightly more, via the pathway of [6-14C]glucose metabolism. Studies employing the phosphodiesterase inhibitor MIX, or the cyclic AMP analogue, DBcAMP showed that the lipogenic process depends on cyclic AMP. As the stimulatory effect of thyroidectomy was not abolished, however, lipogenesis must be under the independent control of both cyclic AMP and absence of thyroid hormones. Insulin, a further mediator of lipogenesis was found to further enhance the already preexisting high conversion of glucose to CO2 in fat cells from thyroidectomized rats. It is concluded that at least three factors modify lipogenesis: thyroidectomy, cyclic AMP and insulin; each achieving its effect in an independent manner.

Metabolic and temperature responses to physical exercise in thyroidectomized dogs

The purpose of the present work was to further elucidate the role of thyroid hormones in the control of body temperature and metabolism during physical exercise. Changes in rectal temperature (Tre), some parameters of exercise-metabolism and in the plasma noradrenaline (NA) levels were examined in eight dogs performing submaximal treadmill exercise to exhaustion before and after thyroidectomy (THY). The metabolic 'responses to adrenaline (A) infusion were also compared in intact and THY dogs. During the exercise performed by THY dogs Tre increases were markedly attenuated, plasma FFA level increases were reduced and the pattern of plasma NA changes was modified in comparison with control runs. The reduced exercise-induced FFA mobilization in THY dogs might be attributed to a lower activation of the adrenergic system in the later stage of exercise and to the weaker lipolytic action of catecholamines. The attenuated Tre increases during exercise performed by THY dogs and the exercise-hyperthermia described previously in dogs treated with thyroid ormones suggest that an optimum level of thyroid hormones is necessary to induce typical changes in body temperature during physical exercise.

Adrenergic modulation of insulin secretion in vivo dependent on thyroid states

Insulin secretory responses via adrenergic mechanisms were studied in vivo with hyperthyroid rats prepared by daily injections with thyroxine and with rats rendered hypothyroid by the addition of methylthiouracil in the drinking water. Isoproterenol, a beta-adrenergic agent, caused hyperinsulinemia in hyperthyroid rats more markedly than in euthyroid rats, but failed to induce hyperinsulinemia in hypothyroid rats. The isoproterenol-induced hyperinsulinemia was abolished by a beta-adrenergic receptor blocker in hyperthyroid as well as in euthyroid rats. The glucose-induced hyperinsulinemia was enhanced in hyperthyroid, was not essentially affected in euthyroid, and was inhibited in hypothyroid rats, by an alpha- and beta-adrenergic agent such as epinephrine. It is concluded that the relative function of alpha- to beta-adrenergic receptors responsible for the pancreatic secretion of insulin is dependent on the thyroid state; beta-adrenergic actions are predominant over alpha-actions in hyperthyroidism and vice versa in hypothyroidism.

Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases, insulin and thyroid hormones

The in vitro effects of insulin on different phosphodiesterase activities present in rat epididymal fat cells from normal and hypothyroid rats have been studied. Evidence is presented that insulin increases the maximum velocity of a particulate, low Km, cyclic adenosine-3', 5'-monophosphate (cyclic AMP) phosphodiesterase in both types of cells, this effect being more clearly evident with the fat cells from hypothyroid animals; combination of insulin and thyroidectomy resulted in a 400% stimulation with 10-10 - 10-9 M insulin. A clear and significant effect was apparent at 10-11 M insulin. However, the dose-response curve was biphasic, since stimulation by insulin was suppressed for doses of hormone higher 10-8 - 10-7 M. Moreover, insulin effects were very fast, since clear stimulation was observed after only 2 min of incubation; the maximal increase was obtained after 10 min. Insulin did not significantly affect the soluble cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase activity in normal cells, thus confirming results obtained by others. However, the soluble cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase activity was clearly stimulated by insulin when the fat cells were prepared from hypothyroid rats. Maximal stimulation was obtained with 10-9 M insulin; the response was again very fast. Soluble cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase activity was also increased additively by hypothyroidism and insulin, maximal stimulation being obtained with 10-9 M insulin. With this dose of insulin the additive effects of thyroidectomy and insulin produced a 5-fold stimulation. The effect of insulin on the soluble cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase was very fast (2-5 min). With both soluble cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase activities, insulin increased the maximal velocity but not apparent Km of the enzyme. Thus, hypothyroidism and insulin produced additive effects suggesting a different mechanism of action of these two hormonal situations on the degradation of the intracellular pools of cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP.