Alterations induced by a prolonged fasting: opposite effects on the beta-adrenergic receptor-coupled adenylate-cyclase system and on lipolysis in fat cells from rat

Glucagon receptor signaling at white adipose tissue does not regulate lipolysis

Although the physiological role of glucagon receptor signaling in the liver is well defined, the impact of glucagon receptor (Gcgr) signaling on white adipose tissue (WAT) continues to be debated. Although numerous studies propose that glucagon stimulates WAT lipolysis, we lack evidence that physiological concentrations of glucagon regulate WAT lipolysis. In turn, we performed studies in both wild-type and WAT Gcgr knockout mice to determine if glucagon regulates lipolysis at WAT in the mouse. We assessed the effects of fasting and acute exogenous glucagon administration in wild-type C57BL/6J and Gcgr^Adipocyte+/+ versus Gcgr^Adipocyte-/- mice. Using an ex vivo lipolysis protocol, we further examined the direct effects of glucagon on physiologically (fasted) and pharmacologically stimulated lipolysis. We found that adipocyte Gcgr expression did not affect fasting-induced lipolysis or hepatic lipid accumulation in lean or diet-induced obese (DIO) mice. Acute glucagon administration did not affect serum nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA), leptin, or adiponectin concentration, but did increase serum glucose and FGF21, regardless of genotype. Glucagon did not affect ex vivo lipolysis in explants from either Gcgr^Adipocyte+/+ or Gcgr^Adipocyte-/- mice. Gcgr expression did not affect fasting-induced or isoproterenol-stimulated lipolysis from WAT explants. Moreover, glucagon receptor signaling at WAT did not affect body weight or glucose homeostasis in lean or DIO mice. Our studies have established that physiological levels of glucagon do not regulate WAT lipolysis, either directly or indirectly. Given that glucagon receptor agonism can improve dyslipidemia and decrease hepatic lipid accumulation, it is critical to understand the tissue-specific effects of glucagon receptor action. Unlike the crucial role of hepatic glucagon receptor signaling in maintaining glucose and lipid homeostasis, we observed no metabolic consequence of WAT glucagon receptor deletion.NEW & NOTEWORTHY It has been postulated that glucagon stimulates lipolysis and fatty acid release from white adipose tissue. We observed no metabolic effects of eliminating or activating glucagon receptor signaling at white adipose tissue.

Exercise before or after refeeding prevents refeeding-induced recovery of cell size after fasting with a different pattern of metabolic gene expressions in rat epididymal adipocytes

We investigated the effect of exercise before or after refeeding on cell size and on the expression of several messenger RNAs (mRNAs) involved in lipolysis and lipogenesis in fasted rat epididymal adipocytes. Fasting for 65 hours reduced the diameter of adipocytes to 72.0 microm from 78.4 microm in fed control rats, whereas refeeding for 1 or 2 days restored adipocyte size to 74.0 or 75.8 microm, respectively. Exercise before or after refeeding blocked refeeding-induced restoration of adipocyte size and led to adipocyte size similar to that observed after fasting. Fasting dramatically reduced expression of the fatty acid synthase mRNA, although expression of this gene returned to the control level after refeeding. However, exercise after but not before refeeding inhibited recovery of the expression of fatty acid synthase mRNA resulting from refeeding. In contrast, exercise before but not after refeeding led to enhanced expression of mRNAs encoding the hormone-sensitive lipase and beta(3)-aderenoceptor. Thus, exercise before or after refeeding prevents refeeding-induced restoration of adipocyte size after fasting via different pathways. Exercise before and after refeeding enhanced the expression of lipolytic mRNAs or inhibited the expression of lipogenic mRNAs, respectively.

Glucose infusion does not suppress increased lipolysis after abdominal surgery

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of glucose infusion on lipid metabolism after abdominal surgery. Patients (n = 6) with non-metastasized colorectal carcinoma were investigated on the second day after surgery and healthy volunteers were studied after an overnight fast. The rates of glycerol appearance (R(a) glycerol), i.e., lipolysis rates, were assessed by primed continuous infusion of [1,1,2,3,3,-5H2]glycerol before and after 3 h of glucose infusion (4 mg x kg(-1) x min(-1)). Plasma concentrations of glycerol, free fatty acids, glucose, lactate, insulin, and glucagon were determined. Fasting R(a) glycerol was higher in patients than in volunteers (7.7 +/- 1.8 versus 1.9 +/- 0.3 micromol x kg(-1) x min(-1), P < 0.05). Glucose infusion suppressed the R(a) glycerol in volunteers to 1.0 +/- 0.2 micromol x kg(-1) x min(-1) (P < 0.05), whereas lipolysis was not affected in patients. Plasma concentrations of glycerol and free fatty acids similarly decreased during glucose administration by 50% in both groups (P < 0.05). In contrast to the patients, a significant correlation (r = 0.78, P < 0.05) between the R(a) glycerol and plasma glycerol concentration was observed in normal subjects. The hyperglycemic response to glucose infusion was significantly more pronounced (P < 0.05) in patients (10.7 +/- 0.7 mmol/L) than in volunteers (7.1 +/- 0.4 mmol/L), whereas the plasma insulin increased to the same extent in the two groups (P < 0.001). In conclusion, lipolysis rates are increased after abdominal surgery and glucose administration, most likely due to insulin resistance, and fail to inhibit stimulated whole-body lipolysis.

Mechanisms regulating adipocyte lipolysis

Mechanisms regulating adipocyte lipolysis are reviewed in three stages. The first stage examines plasma membrane hormone receptors and G-proteins. The primary regulators of adipose tissue lipolysis, the catecholamines, bind to the alpha 2, beta 1, beta 2, and beta 3 adrenergic receptors. The alpha 2 receptor couples with Gi-proteins to inhibit cyclic AMP formation and lipolysis, while the beta receptors couple with Gs-proteins to stimulate cyclic AMP formation and lipolysis. The beta 1 receptor may mediate low level catecholamine stimulation, while the beta 3 receptor, which is activated by higher levels of catecholamines, may deliver a more sustained signal. The second stage examines the regulation of cyclic AMP, the intracellular messenger that activates protein kinase A. Adenylyl cyclase synthesizes cyclic AMP from ATP and is regulated by the G-proteins. Phosphodiesterase 3B hydrolyzes cyclic AMP to AMP and is activated and phosphorylated by both insulin and the catecholamines norepinephrine and epinephrine. The third stage focuses on the rate-limiting enzyme of lipolysis, hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL). This 82 to 88 kDa protein is regulated by reversible phosphorylation. Protein kinase A activates and phosphorylates the enzyme at 2 sites, and 3 phosphatases have been implicated in HSL dephosphorylation. The translocation of HSL from the cytosol to the lipid droplet in response to lipolytic stimulation may be facilitated by a family of lipid-associated droplets called perilipins that are heavily phosphorylated by protein kinase A and dephosphorylated by insulin. As the mechanisms regulating adipocyte lipolysis continue to be uncovered, we look forward to the challenges of integrating these findings with research at the in situ and in vivo levels.

Evidence that free fatty acids in trophocytes of Periplaneta americana fat body may be regulated by the activity of phospholipase A2 and cyclooxygenase

Previous studies have shown that palmitic, stearic, oleic and linoleic acid levels in trophocytes prepared from the fat body of male Periplaneta americana are increased following treatment of the cells with hypertrehalosemic hormone (HTH). Melittin, an activator of phospholipase A2, mimicked the action of HTH by increasing the free fatty acid content in a concentration-dependent manner. The increase caused by HTH could be eliminated by pretreatment of the trophocytes with 1 mM 4'-bromophenacyl bromide (BPB), an inhibitor of phospholipase A2. BPB also decreases the concentration of free fatty acids in trophocytes not treated with HTH but by a smaller margin. Nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) and indomethacin, inhibitors of lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase, respectively, eliminated the increase in free fatty acids evoked by HTH. In the absence of HTH both inhibitors increased the free fatty acid content of the trophocytes, an effect consistent with the known mode of action of these agents. None of the inhibitors tested, all of which blocked HTH activated trehalose synthesis, prevented activation of phosphorylase by HTH. This is taken as evidence that other downstream sites are also important in the regulation of trehalose production by the fat body. It is suggested that the increase in free fatty acids evoked by HTH, or metabolites of those fatty acids, may regulate the synthesis and release of trehalose from the trophocytes because of potential effects on trehalose phosphate synthase, trehalose 6-phosphate phosphatase, and the trehalose transport mechanism in the trophocyte membrane.

Changes in lipolytic sensitivity following repeated epinephrine infusion in humans

The lipolytic response to epinephrine is increased in lean but not obese subjects during conditions of increased circulating catecholamines such as starvation and critical illness. We evaluated the effect of repeated epinephrine treatment (0.03 micrograms.kg-1.min-1 for 30 min thrice daily) on basal lipolysis and the lipolytic response to epinephrine in lean and obese subjects. Lipolytic rates were determined using [2H5]glycerol during basal conditions and 60 min of epinephrine infusion before and after 6 days of repeated epinephrine treatment. Basal lipolysis and the lipolytic response to epinephrine were higher in obese (2.47 +/- 0.51 mumol.kg-1.min-1 and 106 +/- 21 mumol/kg, respectively) than lean (1.45 +/- 0.15 mumol.kg-1.min-1 and 70 +/- 12 mumol/kg, respectively; P = 0.08 obese vs. lean) subjects. Repeated epinephrine treatment decreased basal glycerol rate of appearance and the lipolytic response to epinephrine in lean and obese subjects. Plasma insulin concentration increased after repeated epinephrine treatment in both obese (14.3 +/- 0.6 to 18.2 +/- 1.6 microU/ml; P < 0.05) and lean (8.4 +/- 1.3 to 11.1 +/- 1.5 microU/ml; P < 0.01) subjects. Repeated epinephrine treatment suppresses basal and epinephrine-stimulated lipolysis. Increased plasma insulin concentration may be the mechanism.

Characteristics of the alpha2/beta-adrenoceptor-coupled adenylate cyclase system and their relationship with adrenergic responsiveness in hamster fat cells from different anatomical sites

Various studies have shown that the lipolytic response of white adipocytes to catecholamines was dependent on the anatomical origin of these cells. To provide a biological explanation for this phenomenon, we compared hamster white adipocytes, from femoral subcutaneous and epididymal fat, for their lipolytic activities, cAMP responses and adrenoceptor-coupled adenylate cyclase system. Basal and maximal lipolytic responses to the beta-adrenergic (isoproterenol) and the mixed alpha 2/beta-adrenergic (epinephrine) agonists were lower in femoral subcutaneous cells than in epididymal cells, but the alpha 2-adrenergic antilipolytic response to 5-bromo-6-(2-imidazolin-2-ylamino)quinoxaline bi-tartate (UK14304) was slightly greater in femoral subcutaneous fat cells than in epididymal fat cells. Identical results were observed for cAMP responses, except for the alpha 2-adrenergic inhibitory response which was identical in both fat deposits. Adrenoceptors studies revealed higher density of inhibitory alpha 2-adrenoceptors 2-(2-methoxy-1,4-benzodioxan-2-yl)-2-imidazoline ([3H]RX821002-binding sites) in femoral subcutaneous fat cells than in epididymal fat cells, but identical density of stimulatory beta-adrenoceptors (125I-cyanopindolol-binding sites) and similar subdivision into beta-adrenoceptor subtypes in both adipose deposits. Finally, the level of the alpha-subunits of the stimulatory and inhibitors guanine-nucleotide-binding regulatory proteins, as well as the adenylate cyclase catalytic activity were 40-50% lower in femoral subcutaneous fat cell membranes than in epididymal fat cell membranes. These results suggest that the differences in cAMP and lipolytic responses to catecholamines between epididymal and femoral subcutaneous adipocytes result at least in part from site-related differences in the adenylate cyclase system rather than in the adrenoceptor status.

Selective reduction of alpha 2-adrenergic responsiveness in hamster adipose tissue during prolonged starvation

The influence of fasting on the dual adrenergic control of adipose tissue lipolysis was investigated in hamsters because in this species the adipocytes exhibit both beta-stimulatory and alpha 2-inhibitory adrenergic responses. In adipocytes from fed animals, the number of alpha 2-receptors (identified with [3H]clonidine and [3H]RX 821002) was greater than that of beta-receptors. As in humans, the alpha 2-adrenoceptor number was greater in adipocyte membranes from subcutaneous (inguinal and popliteal) than from internal (perirenal and epididymal) adipose tissues. Despite this difference in alpha 2-adrenoceptor number, the antilipolytic responses to the alpha 2-agonists clonidine and UK 14304 were similar in the two tissues. Food deprivation for a period of 1-6 days induced a net depletion of both adipose tissues. In 6-day starved animals the number of adipocyte alpha 2-adrenoceptors and the maximal antilipolytic effect of UK 14304 were less than 50% of those in fed controls. In contrast, the antilipolytic responses to phenylisopropyladenosine or prostaglandin E1 remained unchanged. Starvation induced a decrease in alpha 2-adrenoceptor number and an increase in beta-adrenergic sensitivity that were greater in adipocytes from subcutaneous than from internal fad pads. The data suggest that the adipocyte beta- and alpha 2-adrenoceptors are independently regulated during starvation. In the adipocyte, the alpha 2-antilipolytic responses and the alpha 2-adrenoceptor levels are dependent on the extent of the adipose mass; they are particularly reduced in emaciated hamsters.

A comparison of norepinephrine- and ACTH-stimulated lipolysis in white and brown adipocytes of female rats

1. Isolated white and brown adipocytes (WFA and BFA) from the rat were compared with respect to their lipolytic responsiveness towards norepinephrine (NE) and adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH). 2. NE yielded a Km value of 702.7 +/- 30.6 nM for WFA and 142.5 +/- 7.2 nM for BFA. The maximum lipolytic response (Vm) was 145.7 +/- 1.2 nmol glycerol/micrograms DNA/90 min for WFA and 23.7 +/- 0.2 nmol glycerol/micrograms DNA/90 min for BFA. 3. ACTH yield Km values of 31.6 +/- 1.5 and 31.9 +/- 3.1 nM for WFA and BFA, respectively. Vm values of 141.9 +/- 1.0 and 34.2 +/- 0.5 nmol glycerol/micrograms DNA/90 min were observed for WFA and BFA, respectively.

Influences of variation in total energy intake and dietary composition on regulation of fat cell lipolysis in ideal-weight subjects

Weight-maintaining fat-rich, "prudent," carbohydrate-rich, as well as energy-restricted diets (300 kcal/d) were fed in succession for 7 d to 12 healthy males of ideal body weight under metabolic ward conditions. At the end of each period isolated fat cells were prepared from subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue and incubated in vitro in the absence or presence of adenosine deaminase, either alone or in combination with various lipolytic or antilipolytic hormones and agents. Variations in total energy intake and dietary composition had characteristic and specific effects on fat cell lipolysis in vitro. High carbohydrate and prudent diets resulted in low rates of nonstimulated glycerol release and impaired insulin action in the presence of adenosine deaminase (320 mU/ml). High-fat and energy restricted diets were characterized by high rates of nonstimulated glycerol release. Sensitivity of antilipolysis to insulin and prostaglandin E2 was 10 to 200 times lower respectively on energy-restricted than on fat-rich diets. The effects of alpha 2- and beta-adrenergic catecholamines and of N6-phenylisopropyladenosine were not affected by the preceding diets.

Lipolysis during fasting. Decreased suppression by insulin and increased stimulation by epinephrine

These studies were designed to determine whether the insulin resistance of fasting extends to its antilipolytic effects and whether fasting enhances the lipolytic effects of adrenergic stimulation independent of changes in plasma hormone and substrate concentrations. Palmitate flux was determined isotopically ([1-14C]palmitate) before and during epinephrine infusion in normal volunteers after a 14-h (day 1) and an 84-h (day 4) fast. Using a pancreatic clamp, constant plasma hormone and glucose concentrations were achieved on both study days in seven subjects. Six subjects were infused with saline and served as controls. During the pancreatic clamp, palmitate flux was greater (P less than 0.01) on day 4 than day 1, despite similar plasma insulin, glucagon, growth hormone, cortisol, epinephrine, norepinephrine, and glucose concentrations. The lipolytic response to epinephrine was greater (P less than 0.05) on day 4 than day 1 in both groups of subjects. In conclusion, lipolysis during fasting is less completely suppressed by insulin and more readily stimulated by epinephrine.

Fasting increases fat cell adenylate cyclase sensitivity to stimulatory agonists through enhanced ability of the stimulatory regulatory component Ns to dissociate

In rat fat cell membranes, a 72-hour fasting fails to alter the adenylate cyclase stimulatory responses to Mn2+, forskolin and cholera toxin and the cholera toxin catalyzed [alpha-32P] ADP ribose incorporation into the Mr = 42,000 and 46,000/48,000 alpha s peptides of Ns. In contrast, dose-response curves for GTP-stimulation of basal and isoproterenol-stimulated adenylate cyclase display higher maximal responses in fasted rats under conditions restraining (2 mM Mg2+) but not promoting (10 mM Mg2+) the dissociation of Ns. Moreover, at 10 mM Mg2+, the sensitivity of isoproterenol-stimulated adenylate cyclase to GTP is clearly increased in fasted rats. Finally, fasting reduces by 40% the lag-phase of adenylate cyclase activation by Gpp(NH)p. Taken together, these results are consistent with the hypothesis that the permissive effect of fasting on the fat cell adenylate cyclase response to stimulatory agonists is related to increased ability of Ns and the ternary H.R.Ns. complex to dissociate which is likely due to enhanced Ns affinity for guanine nucleotides.

Increased sensitivity of fat cell adenylate cyclase to stimulatory agonists during fasting is not related to impaired inhibitory coupling system

In rat adipocytes, inhibition of the forskolin-stimulated cyclic AMP response by nicotinic acid and N6-phenylisopropyladenosine was unaltered by a 72 h fasting. Under assay conditions favouring inhibition, basal and forskolin-stimulated adenylate cyclase responses to inhibition by GTP and nicotinic acid were also unimpaired by fasting. Under the same conditions, however, low GTP concentrations elicited a clear activatory effect in membranes from fasted but not from fed rats. Fasting failed to alter the incorporation of [32P]ADP ribose into the alpha i-subunit of Ni and the attenuation of nicotinic acid inhibitory action that are both induced by pertussis toxin. These results, demonstrating unimpaired inhibitory control of adenylate cyclase in starved rat adipocytes, suggest that the permissive effect of fasting on the action of stimulatory receptor agonists in fat cells reflects a specific increase in the activity of the adenylate cyclase stimulatory coupling system.

Lipolysis in rat adipocytes during recovery from lactation. Response to noradrenaline and adenosine

The replenishment of lipid reserves of adipocytes following the removal of litters from lactating rats is associated with a 3-fold decrease in both the response of lipolysis to noradrenaline and the maximum rate of lipolysis (measured in the presence of noradrenaline plus adenosine deaminase); these adaptations do not appear to result from the changes in serum prolactin and insulin concentrations that occur on litter removal.

Effects of prolonged food restriction on some aspects of lipid metabolism in Norwegian and Svalbard reindeer

The high-arctic Svalbard reindeer (SR) deposit great amounts of body fat in autumn for subsequent use during winter when food is often in short supply. Captive SR and, for comparative reasons, the sub-arctic Norwegian reindeer (NR) were offered 15% of their ad libitum food intake during a 21-day period in September/October and its effect on fat metabolism was investigated. Plasma free fatty acids (FFA), glycerol, glucose, insulin and urea as well as lipogenic and lipolytic activity of isolated adipocytes were determined. Levels of FFA and glycerol increased immediately when food intake was restricted, reaching the highest levels in SR. Plasma glucose was fairly constant in NR, but decreased in SR. Plasma insulin decreased in both species. Plasma urea increased steadily from day 5 in NR and from day 11 in SR, after a transient rise on day 1 in both. Lipogenic activity had vanished completely in both NR and SR adipocytes when tested after 13 days of food restriction, while lipolytic activity was initially increased, after which it decreased in adipocytes from both species. After 21 days of food restriction SR adipocytes exhibited another marked increase in lipolytic activity, while the fat deposits of NR at that time were too small to allow examination. Thus, reindeer do not differ from other species in their lipogenic responses, although they show some hitherto undescribed lipolytic responses to prolonged food restriction.

Direct assessment of beta-adrenergic receptors in intact rat adipocytes by binding of [3H]CGP 12177. Evidence for agonist high-affinity binding complex and for beta 1 and beta 2 receptor subtypes

The characteristics of the binding of the hydrophilic beta-adrenergic antagonist [3H]CGP 12177 to intact rat adipocytes were studied at 37 degrees C and 6 degrees C. At both temperatures and at 90% saturation, the non-specific binding was less than 30% of the total binding. At 37 degrees C, specific [3H]CGP 12177 binding was rapid, reversible of high affinity (1.8 +/- 0.4 nM) and saturable. The number of specific binding sites per adipocyte increased with the fat cell size (about 35 000 and 115 000 sites per cell in adipocytes with diameters of 60 microns and 88 microns, respectively) but remained constant when expressed per unit fat cell surface area. Displacement of [3H]CGP 12177 bound to adipocytes by unselective and selective beta-antagonists was stereospecific, had the same characteristics as those found in adipocyte membranes and showed a heterogeneous specificity for beta 1 and beta 2 adrenergic subtypes. In contrast, beta agonist competition curves, which modeled to two affinity-states of binding, showed high-affinity-state Kd values for agonists 10-25-times higher than those found in membranes under the same experimental conditions. At 6 degrees C, although the number and affinity of the specific binding sites for [3H]CGP 12177 were the same as those found at 37 degrees C, the Kd value for (-)-isoproterenol binding to the high affinity state of these sites (3.0 +/- 0.5 nM) was 25-times lower than at 37 degrees C and similar to the value found in membrane preparations (1.5-4 nM). These results show that the [3H]CGP 12177 specific binding sites detected on intact adipocytes represent the physiological beta-adrenergic receptors. Moreover, this study extends to the adipocyte the validity of the model recently proposed for other cell lines, according to which in intact cells, but not in membranes, agonist-binding promotes a rapid and temperature-dependent conformational change of the beta-adrenergic receptors, leading to a progressive loss of capacity of agonists to form a high-affinity complex.

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 fasting and aminophylline on norepinephrine-stimulated non-shivering thermogenesis

In an attempt to further elucidate the mechanisms of fasting-depressed maximum thermogenesis and cold tolerance, norepinephrine (NE)-stimulated non-shivering thermogenesis (NST) in cold-acclimated rats was used as a functional index of possible alterations in adrenergic efficacy after fasting. Fasting decreased the magnitude of maximum NE-Stimulated NST by 18.2% [6.87 +/- 0.47 Kcal (Kg X 75 X min)-1 well-fed vs. 5.81 +/- 0.39 Kcal (Kg X 75 X min)-1 fasted], but the apparent adrenergic binding affinity was not affected [Ke = 0.43 micrograms NE min-1 well-fed vs. 0.55 micrograms NE min-1 fasted]. Pretreatment with aminophylline [15 mg Kg-1, i.p.], a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, restored the fasting-depressed NE-stimulated NST to the fed level. The results suggest that the depression of maximum thermogenesis after fasting is not due to changes in adrenergic binding characteristics but to alteration in cAMP production/degradation, resulting in decreased substrate mobilization for thermogenesis.

Comparison of changes in the characteristics of beta-adrenoceptors and responsiveness of human circulating lymphocytes during and after chronic administration of pindolol and propranolol

The characteristics of the beta-adrenoceptors (3H-dihydroalprenolol binding) and the beta-adrenergic responsiveness (cyclic AMP response to isoproterenol) were studied in circulating lymphocytes from healthy volunteers before (D 0), on the 22nd day of treatment (D 22) and on the fifth day (D 30) following discontinuation of pindolol 15 mg/day or propranolol 160 mg/day. During pindolol therapy (D 22) the beta-adrenoceptor-affinity towards dihydroalprenolol was unchanged and the beta-adrenoceptor density decreased by 50%, an effect which persisted after drug administration ceased (D 30). The receptor "down-regulation" was accompanied by a parallel decrease in the maximal lymphocyte response to isoproterenol on D 22 and 30, by a shift to the right of the concentration-response curves to isoproterenol on D 22 and 30. In contrast, no significant modification in beta-adrenoceptor density or in the maximal response to isoproterenol was observed during (D 22) or after discontinuation (D 30) or propranolol therapy; the beta-adrenoceptor affinity for dihydroalprenolol and the sensitivity of the lymphocyte response to isoproterenol were markedly reduced on D 22 but not on D 30. It is concluded that the lymphocyte beta-adrenoceptor "down regulation" and the parallel beta-adrenergic desensitization induced by chronic pindolol therapy are both due to the intrinsic sympathomimetic activity of this drug.

Characterization of the beta-adrenergic receptors of hamster white fat cells. Evidence against an important role for the alpha 2-receptor subtype in the adrenergic control of lipolysis

The binding characteristics of the beta-adrenergic antagonist, [3H]dihydroalprenolol, to hamster white adipocyte membranes were studied. This binding occurred at two classes of sites, one having high affinity (Kd = 1.6 +/- 1.3 nM) but low capacity (32 +/- 17 fmol/mg membrane protein) and one having low affinity but high binding capacity. While the binding at the high-affinity sites was competitively and stereoselectively displaced by both beta-antagonists and beta-agonists, competition at the low-affinity sites occurred only with beta-antagonists and was non-stereoselective. Thus, the beta-agonist (-)-isoproterenol was further used to define nonspecific binding. Under these conditions, saturation studies showed a single class of high-affinity (Kd = 1.6 +/- 0.5 nM) binding sites with a binding capacity of 53 +/- 13 fmol/mg membrane protein (corresponding to 4000 +/- 980 sites per cell), and independent kinetic analysis provided a Kd value of 1.9 nM. Competition experiments showed that these binding sites had the characteristics of a beta 1-receptor subtype, yielding Kd values in good agreement with the Kact and the Ki values found for agonist-stimulation and for antagonist-inhibition of adenylate cyclase in membranes and of cyclic AMP accumulation and lipolysis in intact cells. Furthermore, the ability of beta-agonists to compete with this binding was severely depressed by p[NH]ppG. These results thus support the contention that the specific [3H]dihydroalprenolol binding sites defined as the binding displaceable by (-)-isoproterenol represent the physiologically relevant beta-adrenergic receptors of hamster white adipocytes. Finally, studies of the lipolytic response of these cells to (-)-norepinephrine showed that the inhibitory effect of the alpha 2-component of this catecholamine was apparent only when the effects of endogenous adenosine were suppressed, a result which argues against an important regulatory role for the alpha 2-receptors in the adrenergic control of lipolysis in hamster white adipocytes.

Characteristics of beta-adrenergic-agonist binding to rat adipocyte membranes. Evidence that (+/-)-[3H]hydroxybenzylisoproterenol interacts selectively with the adipocyte beta-adrenergic receptors

The binding characteristics of the beta-adrenergic agonist (+/)-[3H]hydroxybenzylisoproterenol to rat adipocyte membranes were studied. Binding was rapid, reaching equilibrium within 10 min at 37 degrees C (second order rate constant K1 = 1.37 . 10(7) . M-1 . min-1). Dissociation of specific binding by 0.5 mM (-)-isoproterenol suggested dissociation from two different sites with respective dissociation rate constants k2 of 0.106 . min-1 and 0.011 . min-1 . [3H]Hydroxybenzylisoproterenol binding was saturable (Bmax = 690 +/- 107 fmol/mg protein), yielding curvilinear Scatchard plots. Computer modeling of these data were consistent with the existence of two classes of [3H]hydroxybenzylisoproterenol binding sites, one having high affinity (KD = 3.5 +/- 0.7 nM) but low binding capacity (10% of the total sites) and one having low affinity (KD = 101 +/- 20 nM) but high binding capacity (90% of the sites). Adrenergic ligands competed with [3H]hydroxybenzylisoproterenol binding with the following order of potency = (-)-propranolol greater than (-)-isoproterenol greater than (-)-norepinephrine approximately (-)-epinephrine greater than greater than (+)-isoproterenol = (+)-propranolol, which is consistent with binding to beta 1-adrenergic receptors. Competition curves of [3H]hydroxybenzylisoproterenol binding by the beta-agonist (-)-isoproterenol were shallow and modeled to two affinity states of binding, whereas, competition curves by beta-antagonist (-)-propranolol were steeper with Hill number near to one. Gpp[NH]p severely reduced [3H]hydroxybenzylisoproterenol binding, an effect which apparently resulted from the reduction of the number of both the high and low affinity sites. In membranes which had been previously exposed to (-)-isoproterenol, the number of [3H]hydroxybenzylisoproterenol binding sites was reduced by 50%, an effect which apparently resulted from the loss of part of both the high and low affinity state binding sites. Finally, the ability of (-)-isoproterenol to stimulate adenylate cyclase correlated closely with the ability of (-)-isoproterenol to displace [3H]hydroxybenzylisoproterenol binding. Comparison of these findings with the binding characteristics of the beta-antagonist [3H]dihydroalprenolol to rat adipocyte membranes, led to conclude that [3H]hydroxybenzylisoproterenol can be successfully used to label the beta-adrenergic receptors of rat fat cells and suggests that it might be a better ligand than [3H]dihydroalprenolol in these cells.