Decreased alpha 1-adrenoceptor responsiveness and density in liver cells of thyroidectomized rats

New insights for male infertility revealed by alterations in spermatic function and differential testicular expression of thyroid-related genes

The impact of thyroid hormone (TH) disorders on male reproductive biology has been a controversial issue for many years. Recently, we reported that hypothyroid male rats have a disruption of the seminiferous epithelium, which may compromise spermatogenesis. To improve the understanding of the reproductive pathogenesis of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, male Wistar rats that developed these dysfunctions in adulthood were used as an experimental model. We evaluated the sperm production, reserves, transit time, morphology, and functionality (acrosome integrity, plasma membrane integrity, and mitochondrial activity), and the testicular expression of the TH receptors (Thra1 and Thra2, Thrb1, and Thrb2), deiodinases (Dio2 and Dio3), and the Mct8 transporter (Slc16a2) were assessed by reverse transcription followed by real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). The results were evaluated statistically by ANOVA and Tukey HSD test (P < 0.05). Hypothyroidism decreased the total and daily sperm productions and increased the sperm transit time through the epididymis, while the sperm functionality was reduced in both thyroid dysfunctions. Regarding the modulation of gene expression in the testis, hypothyroidism increased the expression of Thra1 and decreased the expression of Dio3, and hyperthyroidism increased the expression of Slc16a2. The observed alterations in spermatic production and function and in the expression of the TH receptor, deiodinase, and the TH transporter are suggestive of TH participation in spermatogenesis in adulthood.

Hepatic cannabinoid receptor-1 mediates diet-induced insulin resistance via inhibition of insulin signaling and clearance in mice

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Obesity-related insulin resistance contributes to cardiovascular disease. Cannabinoid receptor-1 (CB(1)) blockade improves insulin sensitivity in obese animals and people, suggesting endocannabinoid involvement. We explored the role of hepatic CB(1) in insulin resistance and inhibition of insulin signaling pathways.

METHODS

Wild-type mice and mice with disruption of CB(1) (CB(1)(-/-) mice) or with hepatocyte-specific deletion or transgenic overexpression of CB(1) were maintained on regular chow or a high-fat diet (HFD) to induce obesity and insulin resistance. Hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp analysis was used to analyze the role of the liver and hepatic CB(1) in HFD-induced insulin resistance. The cellular mechanisms of insulin resistance were analyzed in mouse and human isolated hepatocytes using small interfering or short hairpin RNAs and lentiviral knockdown of gene expression.

RESULTS

The HFD induced hepatic insulin resistance in wild-type mice, but not in CB(1)(-/-) mice or mice with hepatocyte-specific deletion of CB(1). CB(1)(-/-) mice that overexpressed CB(1) specifically in hepatocytes became hyperinsulinemic as a result of reduced insulin clearance due to down-regulation of the insulin-degrading enzyme. However, they had increased hepatic glucose production due to increased glycogenolysis, indicating hepatic insulin resistance; this was further increased by the HFD. In mice with hepatocytes that express CB(1), the HFD or CB(1) activation induced the endoplasmic reticulum stress response via activation of the Bip-PERK-eIF2α protein translation pathway. In hepatocytes isolated from human or mouse liver, CB(1) activation caused endoplasmic reticulum stress-dependent suppression of insulin-induced phosphorylation of akt-2 via phosphorylation of IRS1 at serine-307 and by inducing the expression of the serine and threonine phosphatase Phlpp1. Expression of CB(1) was up-regulated in samples from patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Endocannabinoids contribute to diet-induced insulin resistance in mice via hepatic CB(1)-mediated inhibition of insulin signaling and clearance.

Ethanol inhibits the JAK-STAT signaling pathway in freshly isolated rat hepatocytes but not in cultured hepatocytes or HepG2 cells: evidence for a lack of involvement of ethanol metabolism

OBJECTIVES

To understand the molecular mechanism underlying alcoholic liver injury, effects of acute ethanol on the Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator transcription factor (JAK-STAT) signaling in hepatic cells were studied.

DESIGNS AND METHODS

Effects of acute ethanol on the JAK-STAT signaling in freshly isolated, cultured rat hepatocytes, and HepG2 cells were explored.

RESULTS

Acute ethanol exposure inhibited IL-6- or IFN-activated STAT in freshly isolated hepatocytes but not in cultured hepatocytes, HepG2 cells, or HepG2 cells transfected with alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) or cytochrome P450(2E1). The inhibitory action of ethanol in freshly isolated hepatocytes was not antagonized by the ADH inhibitor 4-methylpyrazole (4-MP). Acute exposure of hepatocytes to acetaldehyde or hydrogen peroxide did not suppress STAT activation. Further studies indicated that the loss of response to the inhibitory effect of ethanol was not due to hepatocyte proliferation and collagen contact.

CONCLUSIONS

Freshly isolated hepatocytes are more susceptible to the inhibitory action of ethanol on the JAK-STAT signaling than cultured hepatocytes or HepG2 cells, which may be implicated in pathogenesis and progression of alcoholic liver disease.

Rapid activation of protein kinase B/Akt has a key role in antiapoptotic signaling during liver regeneration

Liver regeneration is controlled by multiple signaling pathways induced by a variety of growth factors, hormones, and cytokines. Here we report that protein kinase B (PKB)/Akt, part of a key cell survival signaling pathway, is markedly activated after partial hepatectomy (PHX). The antiapoptotic protein Bad, a downstream target of PKB/Akt, is also phosphorylated. This cascade can be activated by various factors in primary hepatocytes, with the strongest activation by insulin and the alpha1-adrenergic agonist phenylephrine (PE), followed by IL-6, epidermal growth factor (EGF), and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). Pretreatment of cells with the specific PI3 kinase inhibitor LY294002 abolished insulin- or PE-activation of PKB/Akt, suggesting that activation of PKB/Akt is mediated by a PI3 kinase-dependent mechanism. In vivo administration of PE, insulin, IL-6, HGF, or EGF to mice markedly stimulated PKB/Akt in the liver, with the strongest stimulation induced by insulin and PE. Moreover, HGF and insulin were able to attenuate transforming growth factor beta-induced apoptosis in hepatic cells, and these effects were antagonized by LY294002. Taken together, these findings suggest that rapid activation of PKB/Akt is a key antiapoptotic signaling pathway involved in liver regeneration.

Thyroid hormone and dehydroepiandrosterone permit gluconeogenic hormone responses in hepatocytes

The importance of the sn-glycerol- 3-phosphate (G-3-P) electron transfer shuttle in hormonal regulation of gluconeogenesis was examined in hepatocytes from rats with decreased mitochondrial G-3-P dehydrogenase activity (thyroidectomized) or increased G-3-P dehydrogenase activity [triiodothyronine (T(3)) or dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) treated]. Rates of glucose formation from 10 mM lactate, 10 mM pyruvate, or 2.5 mM dihydroxyacetone were somewhat less in hypothyroid cells than in cells from normal rats but gluconeogenic responses to calcium addition and to norepinephrine (NE), glucagon (G), or vasopressin (VP) were similar to the responses observed in cells from normal rats. However, with 2. 5 mM glycerol or 2.5 mM sorbitol, substrates that must be oxidized in the cytosol before conversion to glucose, basal gluconeogenesis was not appreciably altered by hypothyroidism but responses to calcium and to the calcium-mobilizing hormones were abolished. Injecting thyroidectomized rats with T(3) 2 days before preparing the hepatocytes greatly enhanced gluconeogenesis from glyc erol and restored the response to Ca(2+) and gluconeogenic hormones. Feeding dehydroepiandrosterone for 6 days depressed gluconeogenesis from lactate or pyruvate but substantially increased glucose production from glycerol in euthyroid cells and restored responses to Ca(2+) in hypothyroid cells metabolizing glycerol. Euthyroid cells metabolizing glycerol or sorbitol use the G-3-P and malate/aspartate shuttles to oxidize excess NADH generated in the cytosol. The transaminase inhibitor aminooxyacetate (AOA) decreased gluconeogenesis from glycerol 40%, but had little effect on responses to Ca(2+) and NE. However, in hypothyroid cells, with minimal G-3-P dehydrogenase, AOA decreased gluconeogenesis from glycerol more than 90%. Thus, the basal rate of gluconeogenesis from glycerol in the euthyroid cells is only partly dependent on electron transport from cytosol to mitochondria via the malate/aspartate shuttle and almost completely dependent in the hypothyroid state, and the hormone enhancement of the rate in euthyroid cells involves primarily the G-3-P cycle. These data are consistent with Ca(2+) being mobilized by gluconeogenic hormones and G-3-P dehydrogenase being activated by Ca(2+) so as to permit it to transfer reducing equivalents from the cytosol to the mitochondria.

Alpha-adrenergic inhibition of proliferation in HepG2 cells stably transfected with the alpha1B-adrenergic receptor through a p42MAPkinase/p21Cip1/WAF1-dependent pathway

Activation of alpha1B adrenergic receptors (alpha(1B)AR) promotes DNA synthesis in primary cultures of hepatocytes, yet expression of alpha(1B)AR in hepatocytes rapidly declines during proliferative events. HepG2 human hepatoma cells, which do not express alpha(1B)AR, were stably transfected with a rat alpha1B(AR) cDNA (TFG2 cells), in order to study the effects of maintained alpha(1B)AR expression on hepatoma cell proliferation. TFG2 cells had a decreased rate of growth compared to mock transfected HepG2 cells as revealed by a decrease in [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA. Stimulation of alpha(1B)AR with phenylephrine caused a further large reduction in TFG2 cell growth, whereas no effect on growth was observed in mock transfected cells. Reduced cell growth correlated with increased percentages of cells found in G0/G1 and G2/M phases of the cell cycle. In TFG2 cells, phenylephrine increased p42MAPkinase activity by 1.5- to 2.0-fold for up to 24 h and increased expression of the cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor protein p21Cip1/WAF1. Treatment of TFG2 cells with the specific MEKI inhibitor PD98059, or infection with a -/- MEK1 recombinant adenovirus permitted phenylephrine to increase rather than decrease [3H]thymidine incorporation. In addition, inhibition of MAP kinase signaling by PD98059 or MEK1 -/- blunted the ability of phenylephrine to increase p21Cip1/WAF1 expression. In agreement with a role for increased p21Cip1/WAF1 expression in causing growth arrest, infection of TFG2 cells with a recombinant adenovirus to express antisense p21Cip1/WAF1 mRNA blocked the ability of phenylephrine to increase p21Cip1/WAF1 expression and to inhibit DNA synthesis. Antisense p21Cip1/WAF1 permitted phenylephrine to stimulate DNA synthesis in TFG2 cells, and abrogated growth arrest. These results suggest that transformed hepatocytes may turn off the expression of alpha1B(ARs) in order to prevent the activation of a growth inhibitory pathway. Activation of this inhibitory pathway via alpha1B(AR) appears to be p42MAPkinase and p21Cip1/WAF1 dependent.

Influence of thyroid status on hepatic alpha 1-adrenoreceptor responsiveness

The present work aimed to elucidate the influence of thyroid functional status on the alpha 1-adrenoreceptor-induced activation of hepatic metabolic functions. The experiments were performed in either a nonrecirculating liver perfusion system featuring continuous monitoring of portal pressure, PO2, pCa, and pH, or isolated hepatocytes from euthyroid, hyperthyroid, and hypothyroid rats. Hypothyroidism decreased the alpha 1-adrenergic stimulation of respiration, glycogen breakdown, and gluconeogenesis. These effects were accompanied by a decreased intracellular Ca2+ mobilization corroborating that those processes are regulated by the Ca(2+)-dependent branch of the alpha 1-adrenoreceptor signaling pathway. Moreover, in hyperthyroid rats the alpha 1-adrenergic-induced increase in cytosolic Ca2+ was enhanced, and glucose synthesis or mobilization was not altered. The thyroid status influenced neither the alpha 1-adrenergic stimulation of vascular smooth muscle contraction nor the alpha 1-agonist-induced intracellular alkalinization and protein kinase C (PKC) activation. Thus the distinct impairment of the Ca(2+)-dependent branch of the alpha 1-adrenoreceptor signaling pathway by thyroid status provides a useful tool to investigate the role played by each signaling pathway, Ca2+ or PKC, in controlling hepatic functions.

Mutations in the c-erbA beta 1 gene: do they underlie euthyroid fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia, a chronic condition of widespread pain, stiffness, and fatigue, has proven unresponsive to drugs, the use of which is based on the 'serotonin-deficiency hypothesis'. An alternative hypothesis-failed transcription regulation by thyroid hormone-can explain the serotonin deficiency and other objective findings and symptoms of euthyroid fibromyalgia. Virtually every feature of fibromyalgia corresponds to signs or symptoms associated with failed transcription regulation by thyroid hormone. In hypothyroid fibromyalgia, failed transcription regulation would result from thyroid-hormone deficiency. In euthyroid fibromyalgia, failed transcription regulation may result from low-affinity thyroid hormone receptors coded by a mutated c-erbA beta 1 gene, yielding partial peripheral resistance to thyroid hormone. The hypothesis of this paper is that, in euthyroid fibromyalgia, a mutant c-erbA beta 1 gene (or alternately, the c-erbA alpha 1 gene) results in low-affinity thyroid-hormone receptors that prevent normal thyroid hormone regulation of transcription. As in hypothyroidism, this would cause a shift toward alpha-adrenergic dominance and increases in both cyclic adenosine 3'-5'-phosphate phosphodiesterase and inhibitory Gi proteins. The result would be tissue-specific hypothyroid-like symptoms despite normal circulating thyroid-hormone levels.

DNA elements and protein factors involved in the transcription of the beta 2-adrenergic receptor gene in rat liver. The negative regulatory role of C/EBP alpha

Primer extension and RNase protection analyses of the rat beta 2-adrenergic receptor (beta 2AR) gene identify two transcription start points at -64 and -220 nt, respectively. Transient transfections of putative promoter/pCAT constructs into DDT1 MF-2 cells indicate that fragments -36 to -100 (PI) and -186 to -312 (P2) are sufficient to promote transcription, whereas -911 to -1122 contains a negative regulatory element(s). RNase protection analysis of the 3' untranslated region (3'-UTR) indicates the presence of two transcripts with 3'-UTR of 111 and 604 nt exclusive of the poly(A+) tails. Northern blots of beta 2AR mRNA using full-length and partial cDNA probes indicate that a major 2.2 kb and a minor 1.6 kb species arise from the use of alternative promoters as well as different polyadenylation signals. DNase I footprinting and DNA mobility shift assays (DMSA) using rat liver nuclear extracts identify a number of transcription factors binding to sequence elements within or upstream from P1 and P2, including Spl, CRE, CPl, AP-2, NF-1, NF-kappa B, and C/EBP. Supershift assays using antibodies against C/EBP alpha and C/EBP beta and mutational analyses indicate that the protein binding to the C/EBP consensus recognition site at -925 to -933 is C/EBP alpha. The activity of promoter/CAT constructs containing the C/EBP recognition site is significantly decreased by cotransfection of C/EBP alpha but not C/EBP alpha but not C/EBP beta into either DDT1 MF-2 cells or primary rat hepatocytes. Partial hepatectomy causes a transient decrease in C/EBP alpha, as measured by DMSA, and an increase in beta 2 AR mRNA levels and rate of transcription in the remnant liver. Thus, derepression via C/EBP alpha is likely involved in the up-regulation of beta 2AR in the regenerating rat liver.

Rapid inverse changes in alpha 1B- and beta 2-adrenergic receptors and gene transcripts in acutely isolated rat liver cells

In vitro incubation of hepatocytes acutely isolated from adult male rats leads to a rapid conversion of the adrenergic activation of glycogenolysis from an alpha 1-receptor (alpha 1AR) to a beta 2-receptor (beta 2AR) mediated response within 4 h. In order to understand the underlying mechanism, we examined time-dependent changes in alpha 1- and beta 2-adrenergic activation of glycogenolysis and second messenger systems, the cellular density and affinity of alpha 1AR and beta 2AR, and the steady state levels of alpha 1BAR and beta 2AR mRNAs. Incubation of hepatocytes for 4 h resulted in a decrease in phosphorylase activation and inositol 1,4,5 trisphosphate accumulation in response to phenylephrine, a 40% decrease in alpha 1AR density, and a 70% decrease in alpha 1BAR mRNA levels. Incubation of hepatocytes for 4 h also resulted in the emergence of a phosphorylase response to isoproterenol, an increase in isoproterenol-induced but not in glucagon- or forskolin-induced cAMP accumulation, no significant change in beta 2AR density, and a twofold increase in beta 2AR mRNA levels. Exposure of cells to cycloheximide, 2 microM throughout the 4 h incubation, prevented the emergence of the phosphorylase response to isoproterenol and reduced beta 2AR densities, while the decrease in alpha 1AR density was not affected and the decrease in phosphorylase activation by phenylephrine was attenuated. The results indicate that dissociation of rat liver cells triggers a rapidly developing decrease in alpha 1BAR mRNA and increase in beta 2AR mRNA levels and corresponding inverse changes in the synthesis of alpha 1BAR and beta 2AR which account, at least in part, for the rapid conversion from alpha 1- to beta 2-adrenergic glycogenolysis.

The sex difference in the regulation of liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy in the rat

The increases in the activity of hepatic thymidylate synthetase and thymidine kinase, which catalyzes the formation of thymidylate via the de novo and salvage pathways, respectively, were significantly suppressed 24 h after 70% partial hepatectomy in female rats administered either alpha- or beta-adrenoreceptor antagonists. The injection of beta-antagonist to male or ovariectomized female rats had no effect on the activities of these enzymes. Only alpha-adrenoceptor antagonist depressed these enzymatic activities of 24-h-regenerating liver in male and ovariectomized female rats. The decrease of the activities of thymidylate synthetase and thymidine kinase was accompanied by a concomitant reduction of DNA content in 24-h-regenerating liver. It is concluded that catecholamine regulates the female rat liver regeneration through both alpha- and beta-adrenergic pathways by the inductions of thymidylate synthase and thymidine kinase, while in adult male and ovariectomized female rats, only the alpha-mediated pathway is involved.

Differential effects of dopamine on glucoregulatory hormones in rats

The effect of dopamine at different doses on serum concentrations of insulin, glucose and corticosterone and on plasma glucagon concentration was investigated in rats. Dopamine was given intravenously over 6 h with infusion rates of 2.5, 7.5, 15, and 60 micrograms/kg.min and in combination with phentolamine. Serum insulin concentration was unchanged at low doses of dopamine. It was significantly increased from 6.0 +/- 0.7 ng/ml to 13.7 +/- 2.3 ng/ml (P less than 0.01) when 7.5 micrograms/kg.min of dopamine were used, whereas it was significantly depressed to 3.96 +/- 0.89 and to 4.0 +/- 0.34 ng/ml (P less than 0.01), respectively, at the high doses of dopamine. This latter effect could be reversed to 6.7 +/- 1.19 ng/ml and inverted to 9.2 +/- 1.7 ng/ml (P less than 0.01) by simultaneously applied phentolamine at appropriate dosages. Serum glucose levels were markedly elevated from 154 +/- 7 to 234 +/- 42 mg/dl (P less than 0.01) by the higher doses of dopamine. A significant alteration of glucagon plasma concentrations from 18.9 +/- 2.8 to 42.3 +/- 14 pg/ml (P less than 0.01) was elicited only by 7.5 micrograms/kg.min of dopamine. The data clearly demonstrate that exogenous dopamine acts differently on glucose homeostasis according to the dosage. The study provides strong evidence that dopamine decreases insulin levels via alpha-adrenergic receptor stimulation. This effect may contribute to the deterioration of glucose homeostasis with high doses of dopamine.

Hepatocyte beta-adrenergic responsiveness and guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory proteins

Hepatocytes isolated from hypothyroid, adrenalectomized, or partially hepatectomized rats display an enhanced beta-adrenergic responsiveness as compared with cells from control animals. The enhanced beta-adrenergic responsiveness is evidenced by both increased ureagenesis and adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) accumulation in response to isoproterenol. The role of stimulatory guanine nucleotide-binding protein (Gs) and inhibitory guanine nucleotide-binding protein (Gi) in the enhanced responsiveness was studied. It was observed, contrary to what would have been anticipated, that the level of Gs [as reflected by cholera toxin-catalyzed ADP ribosylation, 5'-guanosine gamma-thiotriphosphate (GTP gamma S)-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity, and a functional reconstitution assay] was decreased in liver membranes from adrenalectomized and partially hepatectomized rats as compared with the controls. Furthermore, the level of Gi was increased in these conditions as reflected by pertussis toxin-catalyzed ADP ribosylation. The data suggest that changes in beta-adrenergic receptor levels rather than the levels of guanine nucleotide-binding (G) regulatory proteins predominate in regulation of hepatic beta-adrenergic responses by hypothyroidism, adrenalectomy, or partial hepatectomy.

The impact of hypothyroidism and thyroxine replacement on the expression of hepatic alpha 1-, alpha 2- and beta-adrenergic receptors in rat liver plasma membranes

1. Liver plasma membranes were isolated from control, propylthiouracil-induced hypothyroid and thyroxine-replaced rats; relative specific activities of 5'-nucleotidase were found to be similar, 5.6-6.1, demonstrating that comparable purity levels were achieved. 2. Radioligand binding studies indicated that hepatic alpha 1-, alpha 2- and beta-adrenergic receptor binding to control liver membranes was 1963.23 +/- 59.34, 77.64 +/- 2.20 and 111.18 +/- 11.04 fmol.mg-1, respectively. 3. Hypothyroidism induced a 67% and 54% decrease, respectively, in hepatic alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenergic receptor binding with no change in beta-adrenergic receptor binding. 4. Thyroxine replacement achieved an 85% and 100% restoration, respectively, in hepatic alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenergic receptor expression with no effect on the beta-adrenergic receptor.

A water-soluble derivative of prazosin prazosinamine hydrochloride [1-(4'-amino-6',7'-dimethoxyquinazolin-2'-yl)-4-(6''-aminohexanoyl) piperazine hydrochloride], reversibly inhibits the calcium-mobilizing action of alpha 1-adrenergic agonists in the perfused rat liver

A newly-synthesized derivative of prazosin, prazosinamine hydrochloride, was examined for its ability to antagonize the interaction of the alpha 1-adrenergic agonist phenylephrine with liver cells. Using a Ca2--selective electrode to measure changes in perfusate Ca2+ concentration, prazosinamine was found to be as effective as prazosin in inhibiting the phenylephrine-induced efflux of Ca2+ from the perfused liver. Maximal and half-maximal inhibition occurred at 150 nM and 25 nM prazosinamine, respectively. Prazosinamine appears to share the alpha 1-specificity of prazosin, but has other unique and desirable properties. Its solubility in aqueous media is about three orders of magnitude higher than that of prazosin. Also, its antagonistic effects are rapid in onset, and are reversed within seconds of terminating its infusion into the liver. These attributes seem to make this agent more useful than prazosin for adrenergic receptor studies in perfused tissues. The molecule can also be readily coupled to other ligands.

Hormonal control of glucose production and pyruvate kinase activity in isolated rat liver cells: influence of hypothyroidism

Hormonal control of glucose production and of L-pyruvate kinase activity has been measured in isolated liver cells from fed control and thyroidectomized rats. In hypothyroid rats, sensitivity to isoproterenol as measured by these parameters was increased: the apparent K0.5 for isoproterenol-induced stimulation of glucose production decreased from 8.0 +/- 3 X 10(-6) M in control rats to 2.0 +/- 0.2 X 10(-8) M in hypothyroid rats (P less than 0.001) and the apparent K0.5 for inhibition of L-pyruvate kinase was 5 +/- 2 X 10(-7) M vs. 7 +/- 2 X 10(-9) M (P less than 0.001) in control and thyroidectomized rats, respectively. Utilisation of specific adrenergic antagonists confirmed increased beta-adrenergic responsiveness in hypothyroid rats. This phenomenon was not reversed by 3 days of T3 treatment (10 micrograms/100 g body weight). Sensitivity to the alpha-agonist was unchanged by thyroid status. Stimulation of glucose production and inhibition of L-pyruvate kinase activity by glucagon and their reversal by insulin were not affected by hypothyroidism. The dose-response curve to vasopressin and its maximal effect measured on stimulation of glucose production were unchanged in thyroidectomized rats. Thus, hypothyroidism produces a specific enhancement of liver beta-adrenergic responsiveness without affecting sensitivity to glucagon, insulin and vasopressin.

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)

Agonist-induced isomerization of the alpha 1-adrenergic receptor: kinetic analysis using broken-cell and solubilized preparations

The affinity of agonists but not antagonists at hepatic membrane alpha 1-adrenergic receptors is temperature dependent; a 100-fold higher affinity is observed at 4 degrees C than at 37 degrees C. The relationship between these two agonist affinity states was investigated by using a strategy that allows the kinetics of this transition to be examined under equilibrium conditions. When competition assays are performed at 37 degrees C for varying intervals and the reaction mixture is then rapidly cooled by freezing, allowed to thaw, and further equilibrated at 4 degrees C, a rapid and progressive decrease (t1/2 of 1-2 min) in agonist affinity occurs, the extent of which is directly related to the incubation time at 37 degrees C. This decrease in agonist affinity is sustained as long as agonist is present but can be reversed by its subsequent removal. In contrast, no change in affinity is seen in identical experiments when antagonists are employed as the competing ligand. High-affinity binding of agonists is also demonstrated in short-term nonequilibrium experiments, indicating that the low-temperature incubations do not induce, but rather stabilize, a receptor conformation of high affinity for agonists. These findings suggest that the predominantly low-affinity binding of agonists to alpha 1-adrenergic receptors demonstrated in equilibrium studies at physiological temperatures may be the result of a ligand-driven decrease in affinity. Since the transition in receptor affinity for agonists occurs not only in broken-cell preparations but also after detergent solubilization of the membrane receptor, it most likely is due to an agonist-induced change in the conformation of the receptor protein per se.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effect of hypothyroidism on the cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration in rat hepatocytes during rest and following stimulation by noradrenaline or vasopressin

The mean resting concentration of cytosolic free Ca2+ [( Ca2+]i) in parenchymal liver cells, as determined with the intracellular Ca2+ indicator quin2, was lowered by about 30% in hypothyroidism (0.17 microM vs. 0.27 microM in normal cells). The [Ca2+]i level in hypothyroid cells at 10 s following stimulation by noradrenaline (1 microM) was about 64% lower than in normal cells (0.33 microM vs. 1.0 microM). The response to noradrenaline in hypothyroid cells was slower in onset (significant at 5 s vs. 3 s in euthyroid cells), and the maximum of the initial [Ca2+]i increase was reached later (14 s vs. 8 s in normal cells). In hypothyroid hepatocytes the initial increase was followed by a slow but prolonged secondary increase in [Ca2+]i. With vasopressin similar results were found. Chelation of extracellular Ca2+ with EGTA immediately prior to stimulation had no effect on the initial [Ca2+]i increase. Treatment with T3 in vivo (0.5 micrograms/100 g body weight daily during 3 days) completely restored the basal and stimulated [Ca2+]i in hypothyroid cells. The half-maximally effective dose of noradrenaline was the same in euthyroid and hypothyroid liver cells (1.8 X 10(-7) M). Hypothyroidism had no significant effect on the number of alpha 1-receptors determined by [3H]prazosin labeling in crude homogenate fractions, while the Kd for [3H]prazosin was 21% lower than in the euthyroid group. These results show that thyroid hormone has a general stimulating effect on intracellular Ca2+ mobilization by Ca2+-mobilizing hormones, probably at a site distal to the binding of the agonist to its receptor. The results also support our idea that thyroid hormone may control metabolism during rest and activation, at least partially, by altering Ca2+ homeostasis.

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.

Effects of guanine nucleotides and cations on agonist affinity of alpha 1-adrenoceptors in brown adipose tissue

In order to investigate the coupling mechanism of alpha 1-adrenoceptors in brown adipose tissue, the effects of guanine nucleotides and cations on agonist binding were studied with a membrane fraction obtained from hamsters. The affinity of the alpha 1-receptor for the adrenergic agent was followed in competition experiments with [3H]prazosin. It was found that the addition of GTP diminished the affinity of the alpha 1-receptor for norepinephrine but not for the alpha-antagonist phentolamine. This effect seemed to be dependent upon the presence of Mg2+ and could not be observed in isolated cells, indicating an intracellular site of action. A reduction of the Mg2+ concentration from the conventional 10 mM to the more physiological level of 1 mM markedly increased the affinity of the receptor for norepinephrine; this effect again was agonist-specific. The addition of Na+ (150 mM) decreased the agonist affinity of the receptor. It is suggested that the (not adenylate cyclase-coupled) alpha 1-adrenergic pathway in brown adipose tissue also is regulated by guanine nucleotides and modulated by the cations Mg2+ and Na+, indicating an involvement of a guanine nucleotide binding protein. Such a system may therefore be a general mechanism for the transduction of hormone stimulation over the cell membrane.

Effect of thyroid hormone on intracellular Ca2+ mobilization by noradrenaline and vasopressin in relation to glycogenolysis in rat liver

The relation between Ca2+ efflux, Ca2+ mobilization from mitochondria and glycogenolysis was studied in perfused euthyroid and hypothyroid rat livers stimulated by Ca2+-mobilizing hormones. Ca2+ efflux, induced by noradrenaline (1 microM) in the absence or presence of DL-propranolol (10 microM) from livers perfused with medium containing a low concentration of Ca2+ (approx. 24 microM), was decreased by more than 50% in hypothyroidism. This correlated with an equal decrease of the fractional mobilization of mitochondrial Ca2+, which could account for 65% of the difference between the net amounts of Ca2+ expelled from the euthyroid and hypothyroid livers. With vasopressin (10 nM) similar results were found, suggesting that hypothyroidism has a general effect on mobilization of internal Ca2+. In normal Ca2+ medium (1300 microM), however, the effect of vasopressin on net Ca2+ fluxes and phosphorylase activation was not impaired in hypothyroidism, indicating that Ca2+ mobilization from the mitochondria in this case plays a minor role in phosphorylase activation. The alpha 1-adrenergic responses of Ca2+ efflux, phosphorylase activation and glucose output, glucose-6-phosphatase activity and oxygen consumption in hypothyroid rat liver were completely restored by in vivo T3 injections (0.5 micrograms per 100 g body weight, daily during 3 days). Perfusion with T3 (100 pM) during 19 min did not influence hypothyroid rat liver oxygen consumption and alpha 1-receptor-mediated Ca2+ efflux. However, this in vitro T3 treatment showed a completely recovered alpha 1-adrenergic response of phosphorylase and a partly restored glucose-6-phosphatase activity and glucose output. The results indicate that thyroid hormones may control alpha 1-adrenergic stimulation of glycogenolysis by at least two mechanisms, i.e., a long-term action on Ca2+ mobilization, and a short-term action on separate stages of the glycogenolytic process.

Adrenergic receptors: possible mechanism of inverse regulation of alpha- and beta-receptors

Many physiologic and pathologic conditions, including bronchial asthma, are associated with inverse changes in alpha- and beta-receptor-mediated responses in various tissues. The direction of the change elicited by a given stimulus is tissue specific, as exemplified by the actions of thyroid hormones: In the rat heart, hypothyroidism reduces beta- and increases alpha-receptor responses, whereas in the rat liver it has the opposite effects. A similar increase in beta- and decrease in alpha-receptor responses in the rat liver is triggered by a number of different conditions, including glucocorticoid deficiency, that appear to represent lower levels of cellular differentiation. Among these, incubation of isolated hepatocytes in a serum-free buffer triggers the conversion of the receptor response in vitro within 4 hours, without parallel changes in the density or affinity of receptor binding sites. This change can be acutely reversed by an endogenous inhibitor of membrane phospholipase A2, or accelerated by an activator of phospholipase A2, suggesting that changes in the activity of this enzyme are involved in the conversion of the hepatic adrenoceptor response. The glucocorticoid-induced increase in beta-receptors in cultured human lung adenocarcinoma cells also appears to be mediated indirectly through the induction of an endogenous inhibitor (lipomodulin) of membrane phospholipase A2. The possible relevance of altered membrane phospholipid metabolism in the pathomechanism of asthma and in the associated glucocorticoid-sensitive changes in adrenergic receptor mechanisms is discussed.

Thyroid-dependent alterations of myocardial adrenoceptors and adrenoceptor-mediated responses in the rat

Cardiovascular alterations in hypo- and hyperthyroidism have been ascribed to changes of noradrenergic neurotransmission. In the present study the influence of thyroid hormones on adrenoceptors in the rat heart was further characterized. The effect of artificial hypothyroidism (induced by feeding 6-propyl-2-thiouracil, PTU) and hyperthyroidism (induced by daily injections of triiodothyronine, T3) on myocardial adrenoceptor binding, catecholamines, some physiological responses, and their interdependence was examined. The density of myocardial beta-adrenergic binding sites (3H-dihydroalprenolol, 3H-DHA) was reduced after PTU (by 38%) and enhanced after T3 treatment (by up to 82%). The increase was dose- and time-dependent and reversible within 4 days. No changes of the affinity of 3H-DHA to its binding sites were observed. Only L-T3 and L-T4 proved to be active, D-T3 and reverse T3 had no effect. The rise in beta-adrenoceptor density caused by T3 was prevented by concomitant administration of cycloheximide, indicating its dependence on protein synthesis. The density of myocardial alpha 1-adrenergic binding sites (3H-prazosin) was significantly reduced in the PTU group (by up to 28%) and even more distinctly by T3 treatment (by up to 50%). KD values remained unaltered. The noradrenaline content and turnover of rat hearts was significantly reduced by T3-induced hyperthyroidism. PTU treatment had no influence on content and turnover of noradrenaline. Plasma noradrenaline as well as adrenaline levels in freely moving rats were increased by PTU treatment 9- and 5-fold, respectively. In T3-injected animals no significant changes were measured. The density of adrenoceptors is known to be inversely correlated with catecholamine levels in several organs. Neither alpha- nor beta-adrenoceptor changes in the myocardium of dysthyroid rats could be attributed to such a homologous regulation, since they still occurred after chemical sympathectomy with 6-hydroxydopamine and adrenalectomy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Molecular mechanism of inverse regulation of hepatic alpha-1 and beta-2-adrenergic receptors

The adrenergic activation of glycogenolysis in the rat liver is converted from an alpha-1 to a beta-2-receptor mediated event in various conditions associated with cellular dedifferentiation. Short-term incubation of isolated hepatocytes in a serum-free medium results in a similar conversion of the adrenoceptor response, without concomitant changes in the density or affinity of alpha-1 or beta-receptor binding sites. This time-dependent conversion can be prevented or reversed by inhibitors of protein synthesis, by an endogenous inhibitor of phospholipase A2 (lipomodulin), or by removal of fatty acids from the medium through a lipid-trap. Conversely, activation of phospholipase A2 or addition of exogenous arachidonic acid to freshly isolated rat liver cells induces an acute conversion from alpha-1 to beta-type response, and the effect of the latter is prevented by the cyclooxygenase inhibitor, ibuprofen. It is proposed that reciprocal changes in alpha-1 and beta-2 receptor activity in rat liver cells are triggered by inverse changes in the coupling of the two receptors to their respective post-receptor pathways. These changes are mediated by a cyclooxygenase product generated through increased phospholipase A2 activity.

Predominance of beta-adrenergic over alpha-adrenergic receptor functions involved in phosphorylase activation in liver cells of cholestatic rats

Hepatocytes isolated from normal and cholestatic rats responded to adrenergic agonists and antagonists in a quite different manner. Much greater activation of glycogen phosphorylase was caused by phenylephrine, an alpha-agonist, than by isoproterenol, a beta-agonist, in normal rat hepatocytes, and vice versa in the cholestatic rat cells. Epinephrine activation of phosphorylase was antagonized more efficiently by phenoxybenzamine, an alpha-antagonist, than by propranolol, a beta-antagonist, in normal rats, whereas it was antagonized totally by propranolol but only partially by phenoxybenzamine in cholestatic rat hepatocytes. The number of alpha-adrenergic receptors, measured by [3H]prazosin binding to membranes, as well as alpha-receptor-mediated increases in 32Pi incorporation into phosphatidylinositol and in 45Ca efflux, were reduced in hepatocytes after induction of cholestasis. The reduction of these parameters of alpha-receptor-linked functions was associated with the reciprocal increase in the number of beta-receptors and enhancement of beta-receptor-mediated accumulation of cyclic AMP in cholestatic rat hepatocytes. The affinity of epinephrine for beta-receptors was higher in cholestatic rat cells than in normal rat cells; this difference in affinity was abolished by the addition of guanylylimidodiphosphate, indicating that induction of cholestasis rendered hepatic beta-receptors more tightly coupled to the GTP-binding protein. Thus, the cascade reactions arising from beta-receptors are predominant over those from alpha-receptors, eventually leading to glycogen breakdown in cholestatic rat hepatocytes, principally because of not only the elevated beta to alpha ratio of the membrane receptor density but also the tight coupling of beta-receptors to the adenylate cyclase system via the guanine nucleotide regulatory protein.

Effect of sucrose feeding on alpha 1-adrenergic responses in rat liver

A sustained increase in sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity was induced by substituting a 10% sucrose solution for the drinking water of rats fed laboratory chow ad libitum. The effects of increased SNS activity on alpha 1-adrenergic processes in liver were examined by evaluating three alpha 1-responses, namely, phenylephrine-stimulated ouabain-sensitive 86Rb+ uptake, 45Ca2+ efflux, and glucose release. Sucrose feeding abolished phenylephrine stimulation of ouabain-sensitive 86Rb+ uptake and 45Ca2+ efflux and induced a three- to fourfold reduction in the ability of phenylephrine to stimulate glucose release from liver slices. Pretreatment with 6-hydroxydopamine markedly reduced liver norepinephrine content. When 6-hydroxydopamine was used to prevent the sucrose-induced increase in SNS activity, the changes in 86Rb+ uptake, 45Ca2+ efflux, and glucose release that otherwise followed sucrose feeding were not observed. Sucrose feeding did not alter binding of the alpha 1-antagonist [3H]prazosin to liver cell membrane alpha 1-receptors or displacement of [3H]prazosin by the alpha-agonist epinephrine. These observations suggest that sustained increases in SNS activity may have profound effects on liver alpha 1-adrenergic events that occur subsequent to hormone-receptor interaction.

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.

Modulation by thyroid status of cyclic AMP-dependent and Ca2+-dependent mechanisms of hormone action in rat liver cells. Possible involvement of two different transduction mechanisms in alpha 1-adrenergic action

The actions of hormones which are associated to cAMP-dependent and calcium-dependent mechanisms of signal transduction were studied in hepatocytes obtained from rats with different thyroid states. In cells from euthyroid and hyperthyroid rats, the metabolic actions of epinephrine were mediated mainly through alpha 1-adrenoceptors; beta-adrenoceptors seem to be functionally unimportant. In contrast, both alpha 1- and beta-adrenoceptors mediate the actions of epinephrine in hepatocytes from hypothyroid animals. Phosphatidylinositol labeling was strongly stimulated by epinephrine, vasopressin and angiotensin II in cells from eu-, hyper- or hypothyroid rats. However, metabolic responsiveness to vasopressin and angiotensin II was markedly impaired in the hypothyroid state. The glycogenolytic response to the calcium ionophore A-23187 was also impaired, suggesting that hepatocytes from hypothyroid rats are less sensitive to calcium signalling. The persistence of alpha 1-adrenergic responsiveness in the hypothyroid state suggests that the mechanism of signal transduction for alpha 1-adrenergic amines is not identical to that of the vasopressor peptides. alpha 1-Adrenergic stimulation of cyclic AMP accumulation was not detected in cells from hypothyroid rats. These data suggest that factors besides calcium and besides cAMP are probably involved in alpha 1-adrenergic actions. Metabolic responses to glucagon and to the cAMP analogue dibutyryl cAMP were not markedly changed during hypothyroidism, although cAMP accumulation produced by glucagon and beta-adrenergic agonists was enhanced. In hyperthyroidism, cell responsiveness to epinephrine, vasopressin, angiotensin II and glucagon was decreased, but sensitivity to cAMP was not markedly altered. The factors involved in this hyposensitivity to hormones during hyperthyroidism are unclear.

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.

Effects of hyperthyroidism on stimulation of [1-14C]oleate oxidation to 14CO2 in isolated hepatocytes from fed rats by the catecholamines, vasopressin, and angiotensin II

Possible effects of adrenaline, noradrenaline, vasopressin, and angiotensin II to increase 14CO2 production from [1-14C]oleate were examined in hepatocytes from fed L-triiodothyronine (T3)-treated or control rats. Rates of 14CO2 production were decreased and rates of ketogenesis increased in hepatocytes from T3-treated rats. These changes were accompanied by a marked shift of the 3-hydroxybutyrate:acetoacetate concentration ratio towards acetoacetate. Rates of glucose and lactate release were decreased. Whereas the Ca2+-mobilizing hormones increased 14CO2 production from [1-14C]oleate by 64-84% with hepatocytes from control rats, they increased 14CO2 production from [1-14C]oleate by on 24-32% with hepatocytes from T3-treated rats. The magnitude of the response to the Ca2+-mobilizing hormones in hepatocytes from T3-treated rats was increased by the addition of 3-mercaptopicolinate, an inhibitor of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, to the incubation medium (increases of 52-88%). In the presence of 3-mercaptopicolinate, the 3-hydroxybutyrate:acetoacetate concentration ratio in hepatocytes from fed, T3-treated rats was similar to that in hepatocytes from control rats in the absence of 3-mercaptopicolinate. The results demonstrate that hyperthyroidism per se does not lead to a loss of sensitivity, in terms of oleate oxidation, either to the catecholamines or to vasopressin and angiotensin II. The impaired ability of hepatocytes from T3-treated rats to respond to these hormones is a consequence of decreased net glycolytic flux or a more oxidized mitochondrial redox state.