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H Wahrenberg

Publications and source records attributed to H Wahrenberg.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Importance of beta-adrenoceptor function in fat cells for lipid mobilization.

The role of peripheral catecholamine sensitivity in lipid mobilization was investigated in 78 healthy non-obese subjects by comparing beta-adrenergic regulation of lipolysis in isolated adipocytes with circulating catecholamines and glycerol (lipolysis index). Small intra-individual variations (5-7%) in adipocyte lipolytic beta-adrenoceptor sensitivity (ED50) for isoprenaline were found. However, large inter-individual variations (almost 10(5)-fold) in isoprenaline ED50 were observed in abdominal or gluteal adipocytes, which correlated (r = 0.52) negatively with the resting plasma noradrenaline levels. A correlation was also observed between circulating noradrenaline and adipocyte ED50 for noradrenaline (r = -0.38). In subjects with high (ED50 less than 10(-11) mol l-1) as compared to low isoprenaline sensitivity (ED50 greater than 10(-10) mol l-1) physical exercise induced a two times greater increase in plasma glycerol (P less than 0.01), in spite of a 50% less marked increase of plasma noradrenaline (P less than 0.01). Findings with beta-adrenoceptor mRNA and with total beta-adrenoceptor number or affinity for agonist did not show any strong correlation with the resting plasma noradrenaline level (r less than 0.25). In conclusion, inter-individual variations in beta-adrenoceptor sensitivity and its relation to circulating noradrenaline can be ascribed to specific modulations of either BAR-subtypes or in the postreceptor activation of lipolysis. These variations in adipocyte beta-adrenoceptor sensitivity may participate in the regulation of peripheral nervous activity and play a putative role in lipolysis during exercise when subjects with high beta-adrenoceptor sensitivity increased their ability to mobilize lipids despite a reduced noradrenaline response.

Adipose Tissue↗

Lipolytic catecholamine resistance due to decreased beta 2-adrenoceptor expression in fat cells.

The existence of lipolytic beta-adrenoceptor (BAR) resistance was investigated in vivo and in isolated abdominal subcutaneous adipocytes in 65 healthy and drug-free subjects. The concentration of isoprenaline (nonselective BAR agonist) causing half-maximum lipolysis effect (ED50) varied bimodally and 10(6)-fold between individuals but was almost constant in the same subject when measured two times at rest or before and 30 min after exercise. The subjects were categorized as having either high or low isoprenaline sensitivity. The former group had a 50% reduced in vivo lipolytic response to exercise and mental stress, despite a 50% increased plasma noradrenaline response (P < 0.01) and a 350% increased plasma adrenaline response (P < 0.02). In fat cells the lipolytic ED50 values for noradrenaline and terbutaline (BAR2 agonist) were 10 times lower (P < 0.001) in low-sensitive subjects, but the maximum lipolytic actions of these agents (and of isoprenaline) were similar in both groups. The action on lipolysis of dobutamine (BAR1 agonist), forskolin (stimulating adenylate cyclase), dibutyryl cyclic AMP (activating protein kinase), clonidine (alpha 2-adrenergic agonist), or phenyl isopropyladenosine (adenosine receptor agonist) were almost identical in high- and low-sensitivity subjects. ED50 for isoprenaline correlated with ED50 for terbutaline (r = 0.75), but not with ED50 for dobutamine. In high-sensitivity subjects the number of BAR2 was almost three-fold increased (P < 0.002) and the steady-state adipocyte mRNA level for BAR2 was sixfold increased (P < 0.005). BAR2 affinity as well as BAR1 number, affinity and mRNA expression were similar in both groups. In 11 cholecystectomy patients (otherwise healthy) lipolytic ED50 for beta agonists correlated in omental and subcutaneous fat cells (r = 0.85 for isoprenaline; r = 0.95 for terbutaline). In conclusion, lipolytic resistance to catecholamines is present in vivo in apparently healthy subjects due to reduced expression of BAR2 in adipocytes.

Adipose Tissue↗

Stability over time of adrenergic sensitivity in isolated human fat cells.

The stability over time for lipolysis in isolated human subcutaneous fat cells was investigated in 13 non-obese volunteers who underwent two gluteal fat biopsies under local anaesthesia at random intervals (mean 18 months). Glycerol release to the incubation medium was measured in the absence or the presence of lipolytic or antilipolytic adrenergic agents. The half-maximum effects (ED50) of norepinephrine, the non-selective beta-agonist isoprenaline and the selective alpha 2 agonist clonidine were determined and each had an intraindividual coefficient of variation of 7 per cent. The precision of the lipolysis assay, performed in duplicate, was 10 per cent. The coefficient of variation for lipolysis at the maximum effective concentrations of the agonists was between 20 per cent and 30 per cent. The addition of adenosine deaminase does not reduce the variability. In conclusion, the isolated human fat cell lipolysis assay shows some variability for maximum action of adrenergic agonists on lipolysis. However, there is a small variability in ED50 for such agents which indicates that the assay is well suited for determining drug sensitivity.

Adipose Tissue↗

Impaired intrarenal dopamine production following intravenous sodium chloride infusion in type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus.

Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus is characterized by impaired sodium excretion following NaCl infusion. To investigate the possible role of dopamine in the impaired natriuresis in diabetes, intrarenal sodium handling, sodium excretion and urinary dopamine output, reflecting intrarenal dopamine formation, were studied following a 2 h 0.9% NaCl infusion (25 ml/kg) in eight diabetic patients and nine control subjects. The increase in sodium excretion in response to NaCl infusion was significantly (p less than 0.01) reduced in diabetic patients (19 +/- 7%) as compared with control subjects (46 +/- 8%). Fractional proximal tubular sodium reabsorption (determined by lithium clearance) decreased in the control group (p less than 0.01) following NaCl infusion but not in the diabetic group. Fractional distal tubular reabsorption decreased similarly in both groups. In response to NaCl urinary dopamine excretion increased by approximately 15% (p less than 0.01) in the control group but did not change in the diabetic group. The mean urinary dopamine excretion above basal was significantly greater in the control group (8.4 +/- 2.1 nmol/h) than in the diabetic group (-2.2 +/- 2.1 nmol/h; p less than 0.01). The urinary sodium/dopamine excretion ratio did not differ significantly between the two groups in the basal state or following NaCl. Baseline plasma levels of atrial natriuretic peptide did not differ between control and diabetic patients. In the control group atrial natriuretic peptide levels increased significantly (p less than 0.01) in response to NaCl whereas atrial natriuretic peptide levels did not change in the diabetic group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Adrenergic regulation of lipolysis in human fat cells during exercise.

The adrenergic regulation of lipolysis was studied, before and after 30 min of submaximal exercise, in isolated adipocytes removed from the abdominal and gluteal regions of healthy non-obese men and women. Noradrenaline-induced lipolysis was significantly enhanced in gluteal adipocytes from men but not in women after exercise. However, the pure beta-adrenergic responsiveness was equally increased in gluteal adipocytes of both sexes after exercise, as judged by the effect of isoprenaline. Furthermore, the alpha 2-adrenergic anti-lipolytic responsiveness was more apparent after exercise in females than in males thereby counter-balancing the increase in the beta-adrenergic effect in the gluteal region in the former. The increased beta-adrenergic responsiveness induced by exercise in gluteal adipocytes of males could be mimicked by agents acting at the levels of adenylate cyclase, coupling proteins, phosphodiesterase, and protein kinase and seems to be due to an adaptive enhancement at the hormone-sensitive-lipase level. There was no change in the stoichiometric properties of beta-adrenoceptors of gluteal adipocytes after exercise. Abdominal adipocytes of both sexes were four to five times more responsive to noradrenaline than gluteal ones. However, exercise induced no further enhancement of the catecholamine-stimulated lipolysis rate in fat cells from this site. Thus, the influence of exercise on catecholamine-stimulated lipolysis is regional and sex dependent. Men, but not women, have a greater ability to adapt lipolysis to increasing energy demands during exercise that are due to an acute increase in the effectiveness of the hormone-sensitive lipase complex.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adipose Tissue↗

Effect of pancreas transplantation on glucose counterregulation in insulin-dependent diabetic patients prone to severe hypoglycaemia.

Pancreatic transplantation was performed in three patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in whom recurrent and severe episodes of hypoglycaemia had been found to be due to defective glucose counterregulation. Thus in these patients the spontaneous blood glucose recovery after insulin-induced hypoglycaemia (0.1 U kg-1 h-1 i.v. insulin until blood glucose levels fell below 2.8 mmol l-1) was delayed, and the responses of glucagon, epinephrine and growth hormone (GH) were absent or diminished. After pancreas transplantation the patients exhibited essentially normal blood glucose control. When the insulin infusion test was repeated 3 months after the transplantation, the blood glucose level recovered rapidly after insulin withdrawal. The glucagon response was restored, and the responses of epinephrine and GH were improved. Plasma C-peptide was suppressed by approximately 50%, which is less than is observed in normal subjects. It is concluded that glucose counterregulation improves after pancreas transplantation. This appears to be mainly due to an improvement in the hypoglycaemia-induced glucagon response, but an amelioration of sympatho-adrenal and hypothalamic-pituitary regulatory mechanisms may also be involved. The apparent failure to suppress completely the insulin release from the denervated pancreas transplant indicates that inhibition of beta-cell secretion during insulin-induced hypoglycaemia may be partly under neural control.

Adult↗

Catecholamine regulation of adipocyte lipolysis after surgery.

The effect of surgical trauma on the regulation of lipolysis was studied in isolated fat cells obtained before and 24 hours after elective cholecystectomy in 12 patients who were not obese and who were healthy otherwise. Surgery was accompanied by a twofold increase of the basal rate of lipolysis and by a significant 50% elevation of the lipolytic effect of catecholamines. The actions of various agents that selectively stimulate lipolysis at different early or late steps in the cyclic adenosine monophosphate system beyond the adrenoreceptors were also increased about 50% after surgery (p less than 0.01). The properties of the beta-adrenoceptors were not altered by surgery, as assessed by radioligand binding and isoprenaline sensitivity. The antilipolytic properties of catecholamines (mediated by alpha 2-adrenoreceptors) were not influenced by cholecystectomy. Lipolysis was not altered in four subjects who had no surgery and who served as control subjects 24 hours after being given the same type of postoperative nutrition as patients who underwent cholecystectomy. We concluded that moderate surgical trauma is associated with increased lipolytic activity of fat cells. This is secondary to an enhanced ability of catecholamines to stimulate lipolysis because of a modification at the most distal steps in the cyclic adenosine monophosphate system, which may involve the protein kinase/hormone sensitive lipase complex.

Adipose Tissue↗

Expression of lipoprotein lipase in different human subcutaneous adipose tissue regions.

Steady state expression of lipoprotein lipase was compared in abdominal and gluteal subcutaneous adipose tissue of nonobese men and women. In both regions enzyme activity and lipoprotein lipase mRNA levels were significantly higher in women than in men. In men the enzyme activity was higher in abdominal than in gluteal adipose tissue (P less than 0.01) whereas the opposite was observed in women (P less than 0.05). In both sexes, however, lipoprotein lipase mRNA levels were threefold higher in the abdominal as compared to the gluteal site, whether they were determined in isolated fat cells or in fat segments (P less than 0.01). This regional difference persisted when the mRNA values were expressed as a function of the mRNA concentration for beta-actin. There was a correlation between the two adipose tissue regions as regards the values for enzyme activity and mRNA level (r = 0.6-0.8). Northern blot analysis revealed two mRNA species of 3.5 and 3.7 kilobases, respectively. It is concluded that there are regional variations in the steady state expression of lipoprotein lipase in human subcutaneous adipose tissue. This involves site variations in gene expression as well as posttranslational modification of lipoprotein lipase enzyme activity and may contribute to the characteristic variations in adipose tissue mass and distribution between men and women.

Abdomen↗

Increased lipolytic sensitivity to catecholamines in diabetic patients with severe autonomic neuropathy.

Lipolytic sensitivity to catecholamines was studied in gluteal adipocytes from diabetic subjects with severe (n = 3), mild (n = 6) or no autonomic neuropathy (n = 8). Two of the three patients with severe autonomic neuropathy had a completely abolished plasma epinephrine response to insulin-induced hypoglycaemia, whereas the third patient showed a reduced and delayed plasma epinephrine response. Lipolytic sensitivity to isoprenaline (P less than 0.05), and to epinephrine in the presence of yohimbine (P less than 0.0001), was significantly increased in the diabetic subjects with severe autonomic neuropathy, compared to the other study groups. Moreover, the specific binding of the beta-adrenoceptor antagonist (+-)-4-(3-butylamino-2-hydroxypropoxyl)-(5.7-3H)-benzimidazole- -2-one-hydrochloride (3H-CGP) was markedly exaggerated (P less than 0.05) in the patients with severe autonomic neuropathy. These findings demonstrate that the lipolytic sensitivity to catecholamines in adipose tissue was increased only in patients with severe autonomic neuropathy and impaired epinephrine response to insulin-induced hypoglycaemia. This increased beta-adrenergic sensitivity could, at least in part, be attributed to an increased density of beta-adrenergic receptors in the adipocytes.

3-Hydroxybutyric Acid↗

Catecholamine-induced lipolysis in adipose tissue of the elderly.

Age-dependent alterations in the effects of catecholamines on lipolysis were investigated in 25 young (21-35 yr) and 10 elderly (58-72 yr) healthy, nonobese subjects using isolated adipocytes obtained from abdominal subcutaneous tissue. Basal lipolysis was not affected by aging, while the rate of catecholamine-stimulated lipolysis was reduced by 50% in the elderly subjects (P less than 0.005). To elucidate the mechanisms behind this phenomenon lipolysis was stimulated with agents that act at well-defined steps in the lipolytic cascade, from the receptor down to the final step: the activation of the protein kinase/hormone-sensitive lipase complex. All agents stimulated lipolysis at a 50% lower rate in elderly as compared with young subjects (P less than 0.05 or less). However, half-maximum effective concentrations of the lipolytic agents were similar in both groups. The antilipolytic effects of alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonists were also the same in young and old subjects. Moreover, the stoichiometric properties of the beta- and alpha 2-receptors did not change with increasing age. In vivo studies performed on the same individuals likewise demonstrated an impaired lipolytic responsiveness, with 50% lower plasma glycerol concentrations during exercise in the elderly subjects (P less than 0.05), in spite of a normal rise in plasma norepinephrine. The plasma glycerol levels correlated strongly to the glycerol release caused by catecholamine-stimulated lipolysis in vitro in both young and elderly subjects (r = 0.8-0.9, P less than 0.001). In conclusion, a decreased activation of the hormone-sensitive lipase complex appears to be the mechanism underlying a blunted lipolytic response of fat cells to catecholamine stimulation in elderly subjects. This finding may, explain the age-dependent decreased lipolytic response to exercise in vivo.

Adipose Tissue↗

Beta-adrenoceptor expression in human fat cells from different regions.

The expression of beta-adrenoceptors (BAR) was investigated in abdominal and gluteal fat cells of 32 nonobese men and women using radioligand binding and RNA excess solution hybridization. In both sexes the number of BAR binding sites was about twice as high in abdominal as in gluteal fat cells (P less than 0.01). Northern blot analysis of total RNA from adipose tissue showed hybridization of the BAR1 probe to an mRNA species of about 2.5 kb and of the BAR2 probe to an mRNA species of approximately 2.2 kb. The steady-state mRNA levels of BAR 1 and BAR 2 were also about twice as high in abdominal as in gluteal adipocytes of men and women (P less than 0.01). In abdominal fat cells the mRNA levels were approximately 45 and 30 molecules/cell for BAR1 and BAR2, respectively. There were no regional or sex variations in BAR 1 and BAR 2 mRNA stability. The apparent half-life of mRNA for both receptor subtypes was approximately 6 h in both regions. The mRNA levels for beta actin did not differ between the two regions in either sex. Thus, differences in expression of the genes encoding for BAR 1 and BAR 2 can explain why abdominal fat cells have more BAR than gluteal fat cells. This variation in gene expression may be a molecular mechanism underlying the well known regional differences in catecholamine-induced lipolysis activity between central and peripheral adipose tissue.

Adipose Tissue↗

Beta-adrenoreceptor subtype expression in human liver.

The pharmacological and gene expressions of beta 1- and beta 2-adrenoceptor subtypes (BAR1 and BAR2) were investigated in human liver by radioligand binding assays, adenylate cyclase experiments, and RNA excess solution hybridization. [125I]Cyanopinodolol, nonlabeled adrenergic agents, and BAR1/BAR2 cRNA were used as probes. The relationship between binding sites for BAR1 and BAR2 was markedly different from that between the basal mRNA expression for the two receptor subtypes. Plasma membranes as well as a microsomel-enriched fraction contained binding sites only for BAR2. The potency of BAR agonists and antagonists in stimulating adenylate cyclase activity of plasma membranes was typical of a BAR2 response. Northern blot analysis of total cellular RNA isolated from liver tissue showed hybridization of the BAR1 probe to a mRNA species of 2.5-2.6 kilobases and of the BAR2 probe to a mRNA species of 2.2-2.3 kilobases. The basal level of BAR1 mRNA was 5-fold higher than of BAR2 mRNA, as assayed by solution hybridization. No difference in BAR subtype mRNA stability was observed, as indicated by a mRNA half-life of approximately 5.5 h for both receptor subtypes. It is concluded that specific factors are involved in the steady state regulation of BAR subtype expression in human liver. This tissue contains solely BAR2 owing to a posttranscriptional block of basal BAR1 expression.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

Mechanisms underlying regional differences in lipolysis in human adipose tissue.

Catecholamine-induced lipolysis was investigated in nonobese females and males. Isolated subcutaneous adipocytes were obtained from the abdominal and gluteal regions. The lipolytic effect of noradrenaline was four to fivefold more marked in abdominal adipocytes than in gluteal fat cells. This regional difference was more apparent in females than in males. No site differences were observed when lipolysis was stimulated with agents acting at different postreceptor levels. The beta-adrenergic lipolytic sensitivity was 10-20 times greater in abdominal adipocytes from both sexes than in gluteal adipocytes. Abdominal adipocytes from females showed a 40 times lower alpha 2-adrenergic antilipolytic sensitivity than did gluteal adipocytes, but the adenosine receptor sensitivity was similar in both sites. Beta-receptor affinity for agonists displayed no site or sex variation. Abdominal adipocytes showed a twofold increased beta-adrenoceptor density than did gluteal cells from both sexes. The alpha 2-adrenoceptor density was similar in all regions, but in females the affinity of clonidine for these sites was 10-15 times lower in the abdominal fat cells compared with gluteal cells. In conclusion, regional differences in catecholamine-induced lipolysis are regulated at the adrenoceptor level, chiefly because of site variations in beta-adrenoceptor density. Further variations in the affinity properties of alpha 2-adrenergic receptor in females may explain why the regional differences in catecholamine-induced lipolysis are more pronounced in women than in men.

Adipose Tissue↗

Abnormal action of catecholamines on lipolysis in adipocytes of type I diabetic patients treated with insulin.

Catecholamine-induced lipolysis was investigated in adipocytes obtained before and after 30 min of exercise from 10 insulin-treated type I (insulin-dependent) diabetic men and 10 male matched control subjects. The alpha 2-adrenoceptor-mediated antilipolytic effect of catecholamines was normal, but the beta-adrenoceptor-mediated lipolytic sensitivity was increased 10-fold (P less than .01) in diabetic subjects before and after exercise. The latter correlated inversely (r greater than .7) with the circulating norepinephrine level, which was significantly reduced in diabetic subjects. Basal lipolysis and lipolysis activated at different steps distal to the beta-receptor were similar in the two groups. There was no major change in the total number of beta- and alpha-adrenoceptors in the diabetic patients. However, the proportion of high-affinity beta-adrenoceptors was significantly increased in these patients compared with control subjects. In the diabetic patients, approximately 50% of the beta-adrenoceptors were in a high-affinity state, compared to approximately 30% in the control subjects (P less than .025). In diabetic subjects there was an enhanced plasma glycerol response to exercise, despite a blunted plasma norepinephrine response. The data suggest enhanced sensitivity of catecholamine-induced lipolysis in type I diabetes due to an increase in the number of high-affinity (i.e., coupled) beta-adrenoceptors in fat cells. This mechanism may be due to low levels of circulating norepinephrine and may also explain the exaggerated lipolytic response to exercise in the diabetic state.

Adipose Tissue↗

Effects of insulin on adrenoceptor binding and the rate of catecholamine-induced lipolysis in isolated human fat cells.

The mechanisms by which insulin inhibits catecholamine-induced lipolysis in fat cells are unknown. In this study the possible role of an interaction between insulin and the adrenoceptors on human fat cells was investigated. Insulin inhibited, in a dose-dependent fashion, the specific binding of hydrophobic as well as hydrophilic nonselective beta-receptor radioligands but had no effect on the binding of alpha 2-selective radioligands. The results of saturation experiments and competition-inhibition experiments under both equilibrium conditions and nonequilibrium conditions revealed that insulin reduced the total number of beta-adrenergic binding sites (maximum effect 25%) without changing the beta-adrenoceptor affinity. This insulin effect was rapid and reversible; one-third of the effect occurred within 1 min of incubation and it was completely reversed within 30 min after withdrawal of insulin. It could be mimicked by a polyclonal rabbit insulin receptor antibody but not by insulin mimickers acting distal to the initial interaction between the hormone and its specific insulin-receptor binding site. The beta-adrenoceptor binding to a plasma membrane-enriched fraction decreased at the same time as it increased to a microsomal enriched fraction after insulin treatment, indicating a redistribution of beta-adrenoceptors in the cell. In lipolysis experiments performed under conditions like those in the binding experiments, insulin inhibited the rate of lipolysis with a lag period of 3 min. Furthermore, the hormone caused a dose-dependent maximum 10-fold shift to the right of the dose-response curve for isoprenaline-induced lipolysis without changing the amplitude of the curve. This effect of insulin was specific for the beta-adrenergic receptors system, since insulin markedly decreased the amplitude of the dose-response curve for parathyroid hormone-induced lipolysis. In addition, the effect of insulin on isoprenaline-induced lipolysis could be mimicked by long-lasting fractional inactivation of the beta-adrenoceptors. The dose-response relationships for the inhibitory effects of insulin on beta-adrenoceptor binding and the lipolytic sensitivity to isoprenaline were almost identical. Half-maximum and maximum effects occurred at about 5 and 100 microunits/ml of insulin, respectively. In conclusion, the exposure of human fat cells to physiological insulin doses is followed by a rapid and dose-dependent translocation of beta-adrenoceptors from the exterior to the interior of the cell and a subsequent dose-dependent decrease in the lipolytic sensitivity to beta-adrenergic agonists, without a change in maximum lipolysis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adipose Tissue↗

Acute adaptation in adrenergic control of lipolysis during physical exercise in humans.

During prolonged exercise, the free fatty acids derived from adipocyte lipolysis are the principal fuel utilized by muscles. In humans, the lipid mobilization from adipose tissue is mainly regulated by insulin and catecholamines: the latter hormones have both beta-adrenergic stimulatory and alpha 2-adrenergic inhibitory effects on lipolysis. The aim of this study was to determine whether rapid alterations in the peripheral action of the regulatory hormones occur during physical work and whether they are of importance for the enhanced lipid mobilization. The acute effects of exercise on the regulation of lipolysis were investigated in isolated adipocytes removed from the gluteal region of 14 healthy volunteers before and immediately after the exercise period. Exercise induced a 20-35% significant increase in the lipolytic response to noradrenaline alone and in combination with the selective alpha 2-antagonist yohimbine and to the pure beta-agonist isoproterenol in isolated adipocytes. The antilipolytic effects of both the alpha 2-agonist clonidine and insulin were unaffected by exercise. Exercise did not influence the specific adipocyte receptor binding of 125I-cyanopindolol (beta-adrenergic receptor), [3H]yohimbine (alpha-adrenergic receptor), and mono-125I-[Tyr A14]insulin (insulin receptor). In conclusion, a single period of submaximal exercise increases adipocyte lipolytic responsiveness to catecholamines through an increased beta-adrenoceptor-mediated effect at steps distal to the receptor binding. Thus the increased peripheral action of catecholamines may be of importance for the observed enhanced lipid mobilization during physical work.

Adaptation, Biological↗

Adrenergic regulation of lipolysis in human adipocytes: findings in hyper- and hypothyroidism.

In isolated sc adipocytes removed from hyperthyroid patients, the specific binding of [3H]dihydroalprenolol and [125I]iodocyanopindolol was greater than that in adipocytes from normal subjects. Based on Scatchard analysis of the [125I] iodocyanopindolol data, this difference was due to a significant (P less than 0.01) increase in adrenoceptor number, which was 1.72 +/- 0.18 (+/- SEM) pmol/10(7) cells in the hyperthyroid patients and 0.94 +/- 0.16 pmol/10(7) cells in the normal subjects. When the patients were restudied when they were euthyroid, a significant decrease in the specific binding of the two radioligands was found. In hyperthyroidism, the lipolytic responsiveness (maximum effect) to norepinephrine was increased 5-fold, and that to isopropylnorepinephrine was increased 2-fold. No changes in either the binding of [3H]yohimbine or the antilipolytic effect of clonidine were found. In isolated adipocytes from hypothyroid patients, the specific binding of [3H]dihydroalprenolol and [125I]iodocyanopindolol did not differ from that in the normal subjects. The basal rate of lipolysis (P less than 0.025) and the lipolytic responsiveness to isopropylnorepinephrine (P less than 0.025) were significantly lower than normal, and the response to norepinephrine was almost completely abolished in the hypothyroid state. The sensitivity and responsiveness to clonidine were comparable in the adipocytes of the hypothyroid patients and normal subjects. There was no difference between hypothyroid patients and normal subjects in the binding of [3H]yohimbine. We conclude that the sc adipocytes in hyperthyroidism have beta-adrenergic, but not alpha 2-adrenergic abnormalities. Although there was a moderate increase in the beta-adrenoceptor density in hyperthyroidism, the most important abnormality, namely the increased responsiveness to the catecholamines, seems to be located beyond the receptor level. On the other hand, in hypothyroidism, there was no evidence of changes in either the alpha 2- or the beta-adrenoceptors. The chief abnormality in hypothyroidism, decreased responsiveness to beta-adrenergic agonists, also would appear to be localized beyond the adrenoceptor level.

Adipose Tissue↗