Characterization with [3H] dihydroergocryptine of the alpha-adrenergic receptor of the hepatic plasma membrane. Comparison with the beta-adrenergic receptor in normal and adrenalectomized rats

Altered liver α1-adrenoceptor density and phospholipase C activity in the human hepatocellular carcinoma

The human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common cancer with high mortality rate. We examined the density and coupling to phospholipase C (PLC) of the α(1)-adrenoceptors. In HCC liver, the α(1)-adrenoceptor density - as assessed by [³H]-Prazosin binding - was significantly reduced to about 75% when compared to non-adjacent non-tumorous liver (NA-NL) (P=0.0002). The decrease in maximal α(1)-adrenoceptor concentration (B(max)) was accompanied by a significant reduction in noradrenaline-stimulated PLC activity (P<0.032 versus NA-NL) (assessed by [³H]-PIP(2) hydrolysis). GTPγS-stimulated PLC activity in HCC livers did not statistically differ from NA-NL livers. NaF, which activates all G-proteins, stimulated PLC in both HCC and NA-NL livers to a similar extent. The altered noradrenaline-induced functional responsiveness of HCC livers was not reflected by changes in the binding affinity of [³H]-Prazosin for α(1)-adrenoceptors (NA-NL: 0.066 ± 0.010 pmol/l; tumour: 0.067 ± 0.020 pmol/l). These results demonstrate that human HCC causes profound alteration of the hepatic α(1)-adrenoceptor signal transduction pathway and may account for a negative cancer related metabolism of carbohydrates and wasting syndrome in tumour patients.

Alpha1-and beta2-adrenoceptors in the human liver with mass-forming intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: density and coupling to adenylate cyclase and phospholipase C

Besides the regulation of hepatic metabolic pathways in which adrenoceptors are mainly involved, their effect on the second messenger cAMP is thought to be related to the growth and differentiation of neoplastic cells. However, few studies have been done on the status of these structures in the human liver affected by cholangiocarcinoma (CC). Thus, in this study, changes in densities of alpha1- and beta2-adrenoceptors (alpha1-and beta2-ARs) were investigated in membranes of human liver with cholangiocarcinoma, and for comparison, in membranes of non-adjacent non-tumour liver using the potent antagonists [3H]-prazosin and [1I]-iodocyanopindolol (ICYP) respectively. In addition, the activity of membrane-bound phospholipase C (PLC) and adenylate cyclase (AC) was also studied. In CC liver, the density of alpha1-and beta2-ARs was significantly reduced, compared with non-tumour liver tissues (alpha1-ARs: 23.38+/-4.69 vs 80.35+/-10.52, P=0.0002 beta2-ARs: 14.27+/-2.93 vs 33.22+/-4.32 fmol/mg protein, P=0.03), whereas the ligand affinities (KD) remained unchanged. The beta2-selective antagonist ICI 118,551 was about 100 times more potent in inhibiting ICYP binding than the beta1-selective antagonist CGP 20712A; thus, more than 98% of the beta-ARs were of the beta2-subtypes. The AC activity upon stimulants acting on beta-AR (isoprenaline), G-protein (GTP, NaF) and AC (forskolin) was decreased in CC liver. Similarly, noradrenaline-stimulated PLC activity was significantly reduced in tumour tissues. In conclusion, in CC liver the alpha1- and beta2-ARs density was down-regulated and the neoplastic invasion blunted AC and PLC activity. These quantitative changes may help to elucidate not fully understood pathogenetic mechanisms of disturbed hepatic metabolic processes, such as hypoglycemia during cancer in human liver.

Colorectal cancer metastases affect the biochemical characteristics of the human liver beta-adrenoceptor-G-protein-adenylate cyclase system

The sympathetic-catecholamine system is involved in the regulation of hepatic metabolic pathways mainly through cAMP-linked beta2-adrenoceptors (beta2-ARs) in humans and to a lesser extent through cAMP-independent mechanisms, but no information is available about the possible biochemical changes of beta2-ARs and their signalling pathways in human colorectal cancer (CRC) and colorectal cancer hepatic metastases (CRCHM). Changes in density and distribution of beta-ARs as well as in post-receptor signalling components were studied in membranes of human liver with CRCHM, and for comparison, in membranes of nonadjacent, non-metastatic human liver (NA-NM) obtained from 13 patients, using binding and competition binding studies. Studies were also carried out using normal and cancerous human colon tissues. In CRCHM, the density of beta-ARs (B(max)) was significantly reduced, compared to NA-NM liver tissues (40.09+/-2.83 vs. 23.09+/-3.24 fmol/mg protein; P<0.001). A similar decrease in the beta-AR density was observed in the colon with primary colorectal cancer compared to healthy colon (37.6+/-2.2 vs. 23.8+/-3.5 fmol/mg protein), whereas the affinity of ICYP binding to the receptor remained unaffected. Desensitized beta-ARs were uncoupled from stimulatory G-protein (G(S)), as total density of beta-adrenoceptors in the high affinity state was significantly reduced. Concomitantly, CRCHM elicited decrease in the catalytic adenylate cyclase (AC) activity (cAMP formation) in response to isoproterenol plus GTP or forskolin or NaF. In NA-NM and CRCHM liver, the inhibition-concentration curves of ICI 118.551 showed the presence of a homogeneous population of the beta2-AR subtypes. Neither the binding patterns nor the inhibition constant (K(i)) of ICI 118.551 were altered in CRCHM. In CRCHM, the hepatic beta-AR-G-protein(s)-AC signalling system was markedly impaired, thus, these changes may well influence beta-AR-mediated functions in both organs.

Subtype-selective antagonism of NMDA receptors by nylidrin

The 1,4-di-substituted piperidines ifenprodil, eliprodil, CP 101,606 ((1S,2S)-1-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-(4-hydroxy-4-phenylpiperidino)-1-propanol ) and Ro 25-6981 ((R-(R*,S*))-alpha-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-beta-methyl-4-(phenyl-methyl)-1- piperidinepropanol) are allosteric antagonists of NMDA receptors. Inhibition of diheteromeric NMDA receptors by this class of antagonist is characterized by pronounced selectivity for NR1/2B subunit combinations. In the current study, we assayed effects of nylidrin, a structurally-related non-piperidine, on recombinant and neuronal NMDA receptors. Nylidrin was a potent (IC50 = 0.18 microM) antagonist of NR1A/2B receptors expressed in Xenopus oocytes and was at least 150-fold weaker against NR1A/2A and NR1A/2C receptors. The blockade of NR1A/2B responses by nylidrin was not surmounted by increasing the concentrations of glutamate or glycine and was not voltage-dependent. Potency of inhibition increased approximately 3-fold upon lowering extracellular pH from 8 to 6.8. Nylidrin inhibited NMDA responses in cultured rat cortical neurons with similar potency and apparent mechanism of action as the NR1A/2B receptors. Our results suggest that nylidrin interacts with the same allosteric inhibitory site previously described for the related piperidine antagonists, and should serve as a structural lead for designing novel subtype-selective inhibitors of NMDA receptors.

Identification of hepatic, non-monoamine, dihydroergocryptine binding sites with significant gender differences

High affinity [3H] dihydroergocryptine binding sites different from alpha1/alpha2-adreno, dopamine or serotonin receptors were detected in a crude membrane fraction from hamster liver by radioligand binding filtration assay. The binding was saturable and reversible, as well as time and protein dependent. Scatchard analysis revealed a single population of binding sites with Kd 3.8 +/- 0.9 nM and Bmax = 675 +/- 130 pmol/g tissue (mean +/- S.E.M., n=6) in the male hamster crude liver membrane fraction. In the female liver membranes the Kd value was 4.4 + 1.2 nM and Bmax = 1025 +/- 190 pmol/g tissue (mean + S.E.M., n = 6). Differences between males and females in Bmax values were significant (P < 0.01). The most potent inhibitors of [3H] dihydroergocryptine binding were bromocriptine > ergotamine > dihydroergocryptine > dihydroergocristine > alpha ergocristine > dihidroergotamine > ergocornine > ergocristine > nicardipine > (+) butaclamol > PK 11195 > nitrendipine > domperidone > (-)butaclamol (in order of decreasing affinity). The described type of dihydroergocryptine binding sites was not detected in hamster brain, kidney, spleen or lungs. Obtained data support the concept that some ergot-derivatives may induce metabolic effects in the liver through peripheral mechanisms other than those, mediated by alpha-adrenoreceptors.

Monte Carlo simulations of membrane signal transduction events: effect of receptor blockers on G-protein activation

Cells have evolved elaborate strategies for sensing, responding to, and interacting with their environment. In many systems, interaction of cell surface receptors with extracellular ligand can activate cellular signal transduction pathways leading to G-protein activation and calcium mobilization. In BC3H1 smooth muscle-like cells, we find that the speed of calcium mobilization as well as the fraction of cells which mobilize calcium following phenylephrine stimulation is dependent upon receptor occupation. To determine whether receptor inactivation affects calcium mobilization, we use the receptor antagonist prazosin to block a fraction of cell surface receptors prior to phenylephrine stimulation. For cases of equal receptor occupation by agonist, cells with inactivated or blocked receptors show diminished calcium mobilization following phenylephrine stimulation as compared to cells without inactivated receptors. Ligand/receptor binding and two-dimensional diffusion of receptors and G-proteins in the cell membrane are studied using a Monte Carlo model. The model is used to determine if receptor inactivation affects G-protein activation and thus the following signaling events for cases of equal equilibrium receptor occupation by agonist. The model predicts that receptor inactivation by antagonist binding results in lower G-protein activation not only by reducing the number of receptors able to bind agonist but also by restricting the movement of agonist among free receptors. The latter process is important to increasing the access of bound receptors to G-proteins.

Glucocorticoid regulation of G-protein subunits in neonatal liver

The effect of dexamethasone administration in vivo on the steady-state levels of G-protein subunits in liver of neonatal rabbits was investigated using specific antibodies to each subunit as well as bacterial toxin-mediated ADP-ribosylation assays. Parallel measurements were also made of the activity of adenylyl cyclase, as influenced by a variety of activators. Dexamethasone administration modulated the levels of G-protein subunits in liver in an age-dependent and subunit-specific manner but not in 24-h-old newborns. The inductive effect of dexamethasone was observed in animals older than 24 h, the greatest effect being on 2- to 3-day-old neonates. In 48-h-old animals the alpha-subunits Gs alpha-1, Gs alpha-2, Gi alpha and the beta-subunit G beta increased 2.0-, 2.1-, 4.3- and 2.8-fold, respectively, compared to the control. The increases were much less for older animals. Dexamethasone treatment also modulated effector-mediated stimulation of adenylyl cyclase activity in vitro and mimicked its effects on G-protein levels; the greatest increase (approximately 2-fold) in the activation of adenylyl cyclase occurred in membranes isolated from 2- to 3-day-old animals. In older animals there was either no effect of dexamethasone or a decrease in activity. The degree of change in enzyme activity paralleled the change in the amount of Gs alpha rather than of Gi alpha or G beta. These results suggest development-dependent regulation of hepatic G-proteins by glucocorticoids.

Alpha-1 adrenergic receptor number and receptor density in isolated hepatocytes from foetal, juvenile and adult rats

Alpha-1 adrenergic receptor number was defined by [3H]-prazosin binding in crude membrane preparations of hepatocytes and in intact hepatocytes isolated from foetal (day 22 of gestation), juvenile (12 days old), adult female and adult male (90-150 days old) rats and compared with the alpha-1 adrenergic response (measured by epinephrine stimulated glucose liberation in presence of the beta-antagonist propranolol). The alpha-1 receptor number (expressed as fmol bound [3H]-prazosin/mg membrane protein or as receptor number/cell) increases in an age-dependent fashion reaching the highest values in hepatocytes of adult female and male rats. Statistically significant differences could be found between foetal, juvenile and adult rat hepatocytes. No differences in [3H]-prazosin binding were observed between hepatocytes of adult female and adult male rats. The receptor density (expressed as receptor number/microns 2 cell surface), however, was found to be equal in juvenile and adult rats. There are no differences of alpha-1 adrenergic response in juvenile, adult female and adult male rat hepatocytes, whereas the values in foetal hepatocytes were significantly lower. So the biological response is closely correlated with the receptor density and not with the receptor number per cell.

Epinephrine regulation of amino acid transport in rat hepatocytes isolated during development

The effect of epinephrine on the amino acid transport mediated by system A was investigated by determining the uptake of 2-amino [1-14C]isobutyric acid (AIB) in rat hepatocytes, freshly isolated at different stages of pre- and postnatal development. The data obtained show that the hormone increased AIB uptake, enhancing the Vmax, while Km was unchanged. This effect was evident in cells from adult, 18- to 20-day-old fetus, and neonate rat. Actinomycin D or cycloheximide abolished the hormone dependent increase. Experiments carried out with alpha- and beta-antagonists showed that the effect of epinephrine was beta-mediated in fetal life and alpha-mediated in adult life. Membrane binding experiments showed a higher value for epinephrine and beta-agonist dihydroalprenolol in the fetus versus the adult. The calcium depletion obtained after cell incubation with EGTA or calcium ionophore A23187 reduced the hormonal stimulation in the adult, and was ineffective in the prenatal period. An involvement of cAMP was present in the epinephrine modulation of AIB transport, both in adult and in fetal life.

A glucagon fragment is responsible for the inhibition of the liver Ca2+ pump by glucagon

Glucagon specifically inhibits the Ca2+ pump in liver plasma membranes independently of adenylate cyclase activation. However, this inhibition is only observed at high concentrations of glucagon (Ki = 0.7 microM). Moreover, in the presence of bacitracin, an inhibitor of glucagon degradation, the Ca2+ pump is no longer sensitive to glucagon. These findings suggest that a fragment of glucagon might be the true effector of the liver Ca2+ pump. Pairs of basic amino acids are recognized as potential cleavage sites in post-translational processing of peptide hormones. The glucagon molecule includes a dibasic doublet (Arg 17-Arg 18). Therefore, we have examined the action of glucagon(19-29) on the liver Ca2+ pump. This peptide was obtained from glucagon by tryptic cleavage and separated by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. We found that glucagon(19-29), which is totally ineffective in activating adenylate cyclase, inhibited both the Ca2+-activated and Mg2+-dependent ATPase activity [Ca2+-Mg2+) ATPase) and Ca2+ transport in liver plasma membranes with an efficiency 1,000-fold higher than that of glucagon. Glucagon(1-21) was completely inactive; glucagon(18-29) and glucagon(22-29) acted only as partial agonists of glucagon(19-29). These results indicate that glucagon(19-29), obtained by proteolytic cleavage of glucagon, is likely to be the active peptide involved in the inhibition of the liver Ca2+ pump. We suggest that glucagon may be a precursor of at least one biologically active peptide.

Mechanisms of hormonal regulation of hepatic glucose metabolism

Acute hormonal regulation of liver carbohydrate metabolism mainly involves changes in the cytosolic levels of cAMP and Ca2+. Epinephrine, acting through beta 2-adrenergic receptors, and glucagon activate adenylate cyclase in the liver plasma membrane through a mechanism involving a guanine nucleotide-binding protein that is stimulatory to the enzyme. The resulting accumulation of cAMP leads to activation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase, which, in turn, phosphorylates many intracellular enzymes involved in the regulation of glycogen metabolism, gluconeogenesis, and glycolysis. These are (1) phosphorylase b kinase, which is activated and, in turn, phosphorylates and activates phosphorylase, the rate-limiting enzyme for glycogen breakdown; (2) glycogen synthase, which is inactivated and is rate-controlling for glycogen synthesis; (3) pyruvate kinase, which is inactivated and is an important regulatory enzyme for glycolysis; and (4) the 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose 2,6-bisphosphatase bifunctional enzyme, phosphorylation of which leads to decreased formation of fructose 2,6-P2, which is an activator of 6-phosphofructo-1-kinase and an inhibitor of fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase, both of which are important regulatory enzymes for glycolysis and gluconeogenesis. In addition to rapid effects of glucagon and beta-adrenergic agonists to increase hepatic glucose output by stimulating glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis and inhibiting glycogen synthesis and glycolysis, these agents produce longer-term stimulatory effects on gluconeogenesis through altered synthesis of certain enzymes of gluconeogenesis/glycolysis and amino acid metabolism. For example, P-enolpyruvate carboxykinase is induced through an effect at the level of transcription mediated by cAMP-dependent protein kinase. Tyrosine amino-transferase, serine dehydratase, tryptophan oxygenase, and glucokinase are also regulated by cAMP, in part at the level of specific messenger RNA synthesis. The sympathetic nervous system and its neurohumoral agonists epinephrine and norepinephrine also rapidly alter hepatic glycogen metabolism and gluconeogenesis acting through alpha 1-adrenergic receptors. The primary response to these agonists is the phosphodiesterase-mediated breakdown of the plasma membrane polyphosphoinositide phosphatidylinositol 4,5-P2 to inositol 1,4,5-P3 and 1,2-diacylglycerol. This involves a guanine nucleotide-binding protein that is different from those involved in the regulation of adenylate cyclase. Inositol 1,4,5-P3 acts as an intracellular messenger for Ca2+ mobilization by releasing Ca2+ from the endoplasmic reticulum.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Control of urea production, glutamine release and ammonia uptake in the perfused rat liver by the sympathetic innervation

The nervous control of hepatic urea and glutamine release and of ammonia uptake was studied in the rat liver perfused in situ. Electrical stimulation of the nerve bundles around the hepatic artery and the portal vein resulted in a reduction of urea release, of glutamine output and of ammonia uptake. At the same time, as observed before [Hartmann et al. (1982) Eur. J. Biochem. 123, 521-526], nerve stimulation led to a decrease of portal flow as well as to an increase of glucose release and a shift of lactate uptake to output. Noradrenaline infusion mimicked the nerve-dependent metabolic and hemodynamic changes in a first approximation only at the highly unphysiological concentration of 0.1 microM. It was without effect at 0.01 microM, which might be reached in the sinusoids as a result of overflow from the vasculature. In the presence of sodium nitroprusside nerve stimulation no longer reduced urea output, glutamine release and ammonia uptake or portal flow, yet it still increased glucose and lactate release. Phentolamine clearly reduced the alterations after nervous stimulation of urea output, ammonia uptake and portal flow, while propranolol was essentially not effective. The nerve-stimulation-dependent reduction of glutamine release was almost abolished in the presence of phentolamine and lowered to 50% by propranolol. Glucagon stimulated urea output but had no influence on glutamine release, ammonia uptake and portal flow. Nerve stimulation antagonized the glucagon-stimulated urea release. The present results suggest that in the perfused liver alpha-sympathetic hepatic nerves regulate urea release, glutamine output and ammonia uptake predominantly by an indirect mechanism via hemodynamic alterations, but glucose release by a direct mechanism also in the absence of circulatory changes.

Alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenoceptors in the smooth muscle of male and female rabbit urethra

[3H]Prazosin and [3H]rauwolscine, specific alpha 1- and alpha 2-antagonists respectively, were used to label alpha-adrenoceptors in membranes from male and female rabbit urethra. In the male rabbit, [3H]prazosin bound with high affinity (Kd = 0.56 nM) to a single population of sites with a capacity of 73 fmol/mg protein. [3H]Rauwolscine bound with a lower affinity (Kd = 2.24 nM) to another single class of sites with a capacity of 41 fmol/mg protein. The order of potencies of various adrenergic compounds in inhibiting radioligand binding suggested that [3H]prazosin and [3H]rauwolscine interacted in the urethra with sites having the characteristics of alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenoceptors, respectively. In addition, studies on the female rabbit urethra showed that alpha 2-adrenoceptor density and affinity were respectively 6 times higher and 2 times lower than in the male. No significant sex difference was observed for urethral alpha 1-adrenoceptors.

Hormonal responsiveness of liver cells during the liver regeneration process induced by carbon tetrachloride administration

In control rats most of the ureagenic effect of adrenaline is mediated through alpha1-adrenoceptors with little participation of beta-adrenoceptors. Administration of carbon tetrachloride to rats induces significant changes in the adrenergic responsiveness of their hepatocytes. In rats intoxicated 3-5 days before the experiments were performed there is a marked increase in the beta-adrenergic and a decrease in the alpha-adrenergic responsiveness of the hepatocytes. The alpha1-adrenergic responsiveness increased with time reaching its basal level 15 days after the administration of carbon tetrachloride; simultaneously, the betal-adrenergic responsiveness was decreased. No change in the responsiveness to vasopressin and angiotensin II was observed in intoxicated animals as compared to the controls. In contrast, the responsiveness to glucagon was increased. Increased ability of local anesthetics to decrease urea production was observed in cells from intoxicated animals. It is suggested that changes at the plasma membrane level (lipids, receptors and transducing proteins) might participate in producing these effects.

Effect of adrenalectomy on cellular calcium metabolism and on the response to adrenergic stimulation of hepatocytes isolated from male and female rats

The effects of adrenalectomy on cell calcium metabolism and on the effects of epinephrine on cAMP, phosphorylase a activity, and calcium efflux were studied in hepatocytes isolated from adult male and female rats. Adrenalectomy increased the total calcium of hepatocytes, all exchangeable calcium pools, and all calcium fluxes between the cellular pools in both sexes. After adrenalectomy, basal cAMP was elevated, phosphorylase a + b was decreased, but basal phosphorylase a activity was not changed. In adrenalectomized males and at all concentrations of epinephrine studied (1.10(-8)-1.10(-5)M) stimulation of calcium efflux was decreased and cAMP accumulation was enhanced, while the resulting phosphorylase a activation was depressed. In hepatocytes from adrenalectomized females there was a similar increase in cAMP accumulation induced by epinephrine, and a decrease in the stimulation of calcium efflux; however, the depression in phosphorylase a activation was much less and was significant only at 1.8(-8) and 1.10(-5)M epinephrine. In the male, while activation of phosphorylase a shifted from a pure alpha-adrenergic response mediated by calcium to one also involving a cAMP-mediated beta-adrenergic response, the contribution of the attenuated calcium signal was still significant. Hepatocytes from female rats did not show a comparable alpha- to beta-shift, since the relative contribution of calcium and cAMP to phosphorylase activation was similar in sham-operated and adrenalectomized animals.

Plasma antidiuretic hormone levels and liver vasopressin receptors in the jerboa, Jaculus orientalis, and rat

V1 vasopressin, angiotensin, alpha-adrenergic, and glucagon receptors in liver were studied on membrane fractions prepared from two groups of jerboas ( Jaculus orientalis) given dry or water-enriched diets for periods of 4 to 7 weeks, and from rats acutely treated with pharmacological amounts of arginine-vasopressin (AVP) or (1-deamino-8-D-arginine)-vasopressin (dDAVP). Tritiated (8-lysine)-vasopressin ([3H]vasopressin), tritiated (1-asparagine-5-valine)-angiotensin II ([3H]angiotensin II), tritiated dihydroergocryptine ([3H] DHEC ), and iodinated glucagon ([125I]-glucagon) were used as specific labeled ligands of these receptors. The V1 vasopressin, angiotensin, alpha-adrenergic, and glucagon receptors detected in both groups of jerboas were identical to receptors found in rat liver plasma membranes in regard to the apparent dissociation constants for their respective labeled ligands. Furthermore, vasopressin receptors in jerboa liver membranes discriminated as efficiently as rat liver receptors between the natural neurohypophyseal peptides arginine-vasopressin and lysine-vasopressin on the one hand and the structural analogs (1-deamino-8-D-arginine)-vasopressin and (4-valine-8-D-arginine)-vasopressin on the other. The reduction of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) secretion in jerboas fed a water-enriched diet compared to those on a dry diet (75 +/- 25 pM versus 372 +/- 86 pM) was accompanied by an increase in the number of liver vasopressin receptors (2.79 +/- 0.53 versus 1.25 +/- 0.14 pmol [3H]vasopressin bound/mg protein). The modifications observed were specific for vasopressin receptors, as judged by the maximal binding capacities of [3H]angiotensin II, [3H] DHEC , and [125I]-glucagon, which remained unchanged in jerboas whatever the levels of endogenous circulating ADH. Similarly, administration of pharmacological doses of AVP by iv infusion to rats induced, 2 hr later, a loss of about 50% of V1 liver vasopressin receptors, while the numbers and apparent dissociation constants of angiotensin, alpha-adrenergic, and glucagon liver receptors remained unchanged, and V2 kidney vasopressin receptors were almost desensitized. For V1 liver and V2 kidney vasopressin receptors, the desensitization process was strikingly dependent on the antidiuretic/glycogenolytic activity ratio of the peptide used. Thus, im injection to rats of dDAVP (an analog possessing a very high antidiuretic/glycogenolytic activity ratio) induced, 1 hr later, a total loss of V2 kidney receptors without modification of the number and apparent dissociation constant of V1 liver receptors.

The hepatic alpha 1-adrenergic receptor

Since the relatively recent advent of radioligand binding techniques, it has been possible to directly identify and characterize hepatic adrenergic receptors as well as study their physiological regulation. While it is now clear that alpha 1-adrenergic receptors constitute the major population of hepatic adrenergic receptors and are primarily responsible for the actions of catecholamines in liver, relatively little is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying alpha 1-responses. Recent results suggest that guanine nucleotides may be implicated in the transmission of the hormonal signal from the hepatic alpha 1-receptor to its effectors in a manner analogous to that described for adenylate cyclase-linked receptors. The lack of an easily measurable proximal membrane response for the alpha 1-receptor has been a severe handicap in our understanding of the mechanism of transmission of the hormonal signal. It is likely that until such a response is defined, alpha 1-adrenergic research will continue to lag behind research on the beta-adrenergic receptor.

Direct alpha-adrenergic stimulation of hepatic glucose production in human subjects

Six normal humans each underwent infusions of 1) saline; 2) propranolol; 3) somatostatin; 4) somatostatin with propranolol; and 5) somatostatin with propranolol plus phentolamine on separate occasions. Propranolol alone had no effect on glucose production or plasma glucose. Somatostatin alone produced the expected initial decrease followed by an increase in both hepatic glucose production and plasma glucose. beta-Adrenergic blockade with propranolol displaced the glucose production (MANOVA, P = 0.0220) and plasma glucose (MANOVA, P = 0.0057) somatostatin response curves to higher levels, whereas alpha-adrenergic blockade with phentolamine combined with beta-adrenergic blockade displaced the glucose production (MANOVA, P = 0.0281) and plasma glucose (MANOVA, P = 0.0134) somatostatin response curves to lower levels. Because plasma insulin, C-peptide, and glucagon were suppressed comparably under all three conditions and plasma glucose concentrations were comparable initially, this represents direct alpha-adrenergic stimulation of hepatic glucose production in postabsorptive humans demonstrable when the primary glucoregulatory hormones are withdrawn and beta-adrenergic mechanisms are blocked. It is best attributed to sympathetic neural norepinephrine release.

Binding of propranolol and iodocyanopindolol to isolated cells, homogenates and plasma membranes of rat liver, lung, kidney and heart

3H-(+/-) propranolol and 125I-(+/-) cyanopindolol have been used to characterize beta adrenoceptors of liver, lung, kidney and heart of rat. Two main binding parameters, KD and Bmax were measured using either cells, homogenates or plasma membranes of each organ (except heart). Results show that the most accurate determination of KD and Bmax involves: (1) a previous extraction of plasma membranes (2) the use of a ligand of a high affinity for beta adrenoceptors (3) a high specific radioactivity of this ligand. 125I-(+/-) cyanopindolol seems to be a better ligand than 3H(+/-) propranolol for such determinations.

Roles of alpha 1- and beta-adrenergic receptors in adrenergic responsiveness of liver cells formed after partial hepatectomy

The adrenergic receptor involved in the action of epinephrine changed dramatically during the process of active proliferation which follows partial hepatectomy. In control or sham-operated animals, the stimulation of glycogenolysis, gluconeogenesis and ureogenesis by epinephrine was mediated through alpha 1-adrenergic receptors. In contrast, in hepatocytes obtained from animals partially hepatectomized 3 days before experimentation, the receptor involved in the stimulation of these metabolic pathways by epinephrine was of the beta-adrenergic type. Interestingly, the adrenergic receptor involved in the metabolic actions of epinephrine, in hepatocytes from rats partially hepatectomized 7 days before experimentation was again of the alpha 1-subtype. Thus, it appears that during the process of liver regeneration which follows partial hepatectomy there is a transition in the type of adrenergic receptor involved in the hepatic actions of catecholamines from beta in the initial stages to later alpha 1. A similar transition seems to occur as the animal ages. Cyclic AMP accumulation in response to beta-adrenergic stimulation was significantly enhanced in hepatocytes obtained from rats partially hepatectomized 3 days before the experiment, as compared to control hepatocytes or cells obtained from animals operated 7 days before experimentation. This enhanced beta-adrenergic sensitivity is probably related to the increased number of beta-adrenergic receptors observed at this stage. However, a clear dissociation between cyclic AMP levels and metabolic effects was evidenced when the different conditions were compared. The number and affinity (for epinephrine or prazosin) of alpha 1-adrenergic receptors did not change at any stage of the process, which indicates that the markedly diminished alpha 1-adrenergic sensitivity observed in hepatocytes obtained from rats partially hepatectomized 3 days before experimentation is probably due to defective generation or intracellular processing of the alpha 1-adrenergic signal, rather than to changes at the receptor level.

Simultaneous loss and reappearance of alpha 1-adrenergic responses and [3H]prazosin binding sites in rat liver after irreversible blockade by phenoxybenzamine

The relative influences of the in vivo administration of phenoxybenzamine on in vitro binding to alpha 1-adrenergic receptors and alpha 1-receptor-mediated responses were studied. Phenoxybenzamine treatment reduced maximal specific binding of the alpha 1-selective antagonist [3H]prazosin to liver cell membranes. This response was rapid (less than 90 min) and half-maximal following a phenoxybenzamine dose of approx. 10 mg/kg. A similar decrease in the ability of phenylephrine to stimulate glucose release and 45Ca2+ efflux from liver slices was also noted after phenoxybenzamine treatment. During the recovery period following administration of 30 mg/kg phenoxybenzamine, [3H]prazosin specific binding and phenylephrine-stimulated glucose release and 45Ca2+ efflux returned to their respective control levels with t 1/2 values of 42, 49 and 38 h, respectively. At all times studied during the recovery period, alpha 1-binding and both of the alpha 1-responses were similar fractions of their respective control values. These observations indicate that a close relationship exists between the density of [3H]prazosin binding sites and the ability of rat liver to respond to alpha 1-stimulation. We suggest that the binding sites identified in studies using the antagonist [3H]prazosin and those through which the agonist phenylephrine stimulates glucose release and 45Ca2+ efflux are either identical or in equilibrium with each other.

Potentiation by steroids of the beta-adrenergic agent-induced stimulation of cyclic AMP in isolated mouse thymocytes

There is an increasing amount of evidence suggesting that glucocorticoids may modulate the responsiveness of various cell types to beta-adrenergic agents. In some systems, it has been shown, in addition, that steroids potentiate the elevation of cAMP induced by catecholamines. Little is known however of the mechanism underlying steroid action. We have studied this 'permissive action' in isolated thymocytes which have specific receptor sites for both glucocorticoids and beta-adrenergic agents. The glucocorticoid compound dexamethasone did not alter intracellular cAMP level but markedly enhanced the stimulation produced by isoproterenol. This effect was instantaneous and was still measurable at 10(-7) M dexamethasone. A similar potentiating action was observed in the presence of corticosterone but also in the presence of sex steroids. Determination of beta-receptors after cell preincubation in the presence of dexamethasone showed that rapid alterations in beta-receptors are not involved in this permissive action. Experiments done in the presence of the calcium chelator, ethyleneglycol bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N'-tetraacetic acid, suggest that dexamethasone action could be related to a modification of calcium mobilization.

Lack of functional antilipolytic alpha 2-adrenoceptor in rat fat cell:comparison with hamster adipocyte

1. The small population of [3H]clonidine binding sites in rat fat cell membranes do not have the characteristics of typical alpha 2-adrenoceptors. 2. Clonidine (an alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonist) has no antilipolytic effect on rat fat cells stimulated by theophylline. 3. In contrast to the rat, [3H]clonidine labels an alpha 2-adrenoceptor in hamster fat cell membranes and clonidine exerts a strong antilipolytic effect on theophylline-stimulated lipolysis.