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[Effects of the escharectomy during burn shock stage on expression of glucose translator-4 mRNA in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of the escharectomy during burn shock stage on expression of glucose translator-4 (GLUT4) mRNA in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue. METHODS: 30% TBSA scalded rats were employed. Escharectomy were conducted at 8 h, 24 h, 168 h after burns respectively. Insulin, glucagon, cortisol and glucose levels in serum were analyzed. RT-PCR were employed to analyze GLUT4 mRNA expression in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue. RESULTS: Glucagon, cortisol and glucose levels in serum were declined in groups which escharectomy were conducted during burn shock stage. GLUT4 mRNA expression in both skeletal muscle and adipose tissue were downregulated after burns and escharectomy conducted during burn shock stage made it restored to near normal. CONCLUSION: GLUT4 mRNA expression will declined after major burns in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue. Escharectomy during shock stage could make it upregulated, which will be helpful to improve glucose metabolism and hypermetabolism after major burns.

Adipose Tissue↗

Evidence that functional erythrocyte-type glucose transporters are oligomers.

In this study we tested the hypothesis that functional erythrocyte-type glucose transporters (GLUT1) exist as oligomeric complexes by expressing chimeric transporter proteins in Chinese hamster ovary cells harboring endogenous GLUT1 transporters. The chimeric transporters were GLUT1-4c, in which the 29 C-terminal residues of human GLUT1 were replaced by the 30 C-terminal residues of rat skeletal muscle glucose transporter (GLUT4), and GLUT1n-4, containing the N-terminal 199 residues of GLUT1 and the 294 C-terminal residues of GLUT4. Endogenous GLUT1 was quantitatively co-immunoprecipitated by using an anti-GLUT4 C-terminal peptide antibody from detergent extracts of Chinese hamster ovary cells expressing either of the chimeric proteins, as detected by immunoblotting the precipitates with an anti-GLUT1 C-terminal peptide antiserum. No co-immunoprecipitation of native GLUT1 with native GLUT4 from extracts of 3T3-L1 adipocytes, which contain both these transporters, was observed with the same antibody. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that GLUT1 transporters exist as homodimers or higher order oligomers and that a major determinant of oligomerization is located within the first 199 residues of GLUT1.

3T3 Cells↗

Inhibition of internalization of glucose transporters and IGF-II receptors. Mechanism of action of MHC class I-derived peptides which augment the insulin response in rat adipose cells.

Peptides from the alpha 1 domain of the major histocompatibility complex class I antigen (MHC class I), e.g. Dk-(61-85) and Dk-(62-85), have been shown previously to augment glucose uptake in insulin-stimulated cells and to inhibit insulin receptor internalization (Stagsted, J., Reaven, G. M., Hansen, T., Goldstein, A., and Olsson, L. (1990) Cell 62, 297-307). We now report that these peptides inhibit by 80-100% the internalization of glucose transporters (GLUT4) and insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II) receptors in insulin-stimulated cells and correspondingly double insulin-stimulated glucose transport activity and the number of GLUT4 and IGF-II receptors on the cell surface. In addition, the peptides enhance the apparent affinity about 3-fold of IGF-II binding to its receptor. It is concluded that the effects of the peptides on glucose transport and IGF-II binding are a consequence of the peptide-mediated inhibition of internalization of GLUT4 and IGF-II receptor. The active peptides are derived from the alpha 1 domain of a MHC class I molecule, suggesting that the latter is involved in regulation of internalization of cell surface integral membrane proteins such as the GLUT4 and IGF-II and insulin receptors.

3-O-Methylglucose↗

Genetic analyses of glucose transporter genes in French non-insulin-dependent diabetic families.

Impaired glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and impaired insulin-mediated glucose uptake are both prominent phenotypic features of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). Membrane proteins GLUT1 (HepG2), GLUT2 (liver/islet), and GLUT4 (muscle/adipose tissue) facilitate glucose uptake into cells, and their genes are candidates for NIDDM. To assess their role in primary defects of diabetes, we performed linkage analyses between NIDDM and 10 polymorphic markers near GLUT1, GLUT2 and GLUT4 genes in 79 multiplex French NIDDM families. Linkage analyses were performed using both parametric (lodscore) and non-parametric (allele sharing among affected sib pairs) methods. No evidence was found for linkage between NIDDM and GLUT1, GLUT2 and GLUT4 regions, regardless of the methods or models used for analyses. Thus, these familial linkage studies demonstrate that GLUT1, GLUT2 and GLUT4 loci did not contribute significantly to NIDDM in this cohort. The decreased expression of glucose transporters observed in some NIDDM patients may be secondary to other genetic or environmental defects.

Adult↗

Chronic effects of glucose on insulin signaling in A-10 vascular smooth muscle cells.

To examine the effects of hyperglycemia on insulin signaling in A-10 vascular smooth muscle cells, cells were treated with extracellular D-glucose and effects of insulin were studied on the diacylglycerol-protein kinase C signaling system. A-10 cells specifically bound 125I-insulin, and insulin-like growth factor-I did not displace the label. 125I-insulin binding was unaltered under hyperglycemic conditions. To determine if insulin receptors were coupled to other insulin-regulated processes, diacylglycerol, protein kinase C, and glucose transport were evaluated. Insulin increased cellular diacylglycerol (DAG) levels which were also increased following glucose treatment and not further stimulated by insulin. The uptake of 2-[3H]deoxy-D-glucose (2-DOG) was stimulated by insulin and 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol 13-acetate (TPA). Insulin- and TPA-stimulated 2-[3H]DOG uptake was inhibited by a protein kinase inhibitor, staurosporine. Preincubation of cells with 500 nM TPA overnight resulted in the inhibition of insulin- and TPA-stimulated 2-[3H]DOG uptake. Protein kinase C activity was translocated from cytosolic to membrane fractions following insulin treatment. Overnight glucose (25 mM) treatment resulted in a 50% decrease in protein kinase C enzyme activity and > 90% decrease in protein kinase C beta immunoreactive levels. Protein kinase C activity and levels were not affected by osmotic control media containing mannitol. A-10 cells express GLUT4-type glucose transporters. Neither insulin-regulatable glucose transporter (GLUT4) mRNA nor GLUT4 protein levels were diminished by glucose. Significant decreases in insulin- and TPA-stimulated 2-[3H]DOG uptake occurred, however, with glucose. The down-regulation of protein kinase C beta and resultant inhibition of 2-[3H]DOG uptake by chronic glucose suggests a biochemical link between hyperglycemia and DAG-protein kinase C signaling in vascular smooth muscle cells.

Alkaloids↗

Differential centrifugation separates cardiac sarcolemmal and endosomal membranes from Langendorff-perfused rat hearts.

The application of subcellular fractionation protocols developed in soft tissues to fibrous organs such as the heart is unsuitable given the substantial differences in subcellular structure these tissues exhibit. The purpose of this study was to develop a simple method for the separation of sarcolemma and endosomes from isolated Langendorff-perfused rat hearts. Hearts were homogenized with either an Ultra-Turrax homogenizer or a hand-held glass tissue grinder. Quantitative immunoblots assessed the enrichment of the sarcolemmal proteins caveolin 3 and the sodium potassium ATPase and the endosomal proteins rab4 and GLUT4 in different membrane fractions. Application of homogenates to sucrose and Percoll density gradients failed to resolve membranes differentially enriched in sarcolemmal or endosomal marker proteins, indicating little difference in density between the sarcolemma and endosomes. However, successive spins of homogenates from a hand-held glass tissue grinder successfully separated the endosomes from the sarcolemma, indicating differences in masses between the two membrane fractions. Approximately 70% of total caveolin 3 and sodium potassium ATPase immunoreactivity was in membrane pellets up to 20,000g and approximately 85% of rab4 and GLUT4 in pellets from 20,000-100,000g. In addition, 86% of ouabain-sensitive ATPase activity (sodium potassium ATPase activity) was in membrane pellets up to 20,000g. Therefore, sarcolemmal membranes were pelleted up to 20,000g, and endosomal membranes between 20,000 and 100,000g. Regional ischemia (40 min) followed by reperfusion (60 min) caused the translocation of GLUT4 (but not rab4) from the endosomal membranes to the sarcolemma in the area of the heart subjected to ischemia.

Animals↗

Insulin action on whole body glucose utilization and on muscle glucose transporter translocation in mice.

Murine models of insulin resistance and diabetes are versatile and have been used to investigate genetic and metabolic disorders. However, the principal assays to assess insulin action, i.e., the euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp and subcellular distribution of glucose transporters, have not been implemented in this species. Here we describe procedures which allow these methods to be adapted to mice. When normal C57bl/6j mice were infused with graded doses of insulin (1, 3, 10 or 30 mU/kg/min) during a euglycemic-hyerinsulinemic clamp, the glucose infusion rate necessary to maintain euglycemia increased in a dose-dependent manner (7.4 +/- 1.7, 13.1 +/- 3.6, 24.1 +/- 2.3 or 34.8 +/- 7.5 mg/kg/min), respectively. Hindlimb muscles were isolated and samples of 2-3 g were subjected to subcellular fractionation finalizing on 25%, 30% and 35% sucrose gradients. Fraction F25 (plasma membranes) was enriched in alpha 2 Na+/K(+)-ATPase and GLUT1 glucose transporters, whereas fraction F35 (intracellular membranes) was enriched in Ca(2+)-ATPase and GLUT4 glucose transporters. Following insulin treatment, GLUT4 increased in F25 and decreased in F35. Insulin treatment had no effect on GLUT1 in F25. However, unlike in rat skeletal muscle, GLUT1 was detectable in F35 and its content decreased in this fraction following insulin treatment. The results demonstrate that whole-body glucose utilization can be assessed in mice using euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamps and demonstrate how subcellular fractionation procedures can be applied to murine muscle. Murine muscle GLUT4 translocates from an intracellular storage site to the plasma membrane in response to insulin.

Animals↗

Triiodothyronine increases glucose transporter isotype 4 mRNA expression, glucose transport, and glycogen synthesis in adult rat cardiomyocytes in long-term culture.

Effects of T3 treatment (day 2-day 12) on the expression of the insulin-regulated GLUT4, on 2-deoxyglucose uptake, and on glycogen synthesis were studied in ARC after 12 days of culture in T3-depleted 20% fetal calf serum. GLUT4 mRNA expression was low in controls, but increased in a dose-dependent manner by T3 treatment up to 2.8-fold at 100 nM. In parallel, 100 nM T3 increased basal 2-deoxyglucose uptake 1.95-fold and insulin-stimulated uptake 1.75-fold. In addition, T3 enhanced basal and insulin-stimulated [14C] glucose incorporation into glycogen 1.86- and 1.5-fold, respectively. Hence, ARC may meet part of their increased energy requirements in response to T3 by enhancing GLUT4 expression.

Animals↗

Regulation of CCAAT/enhancer binding protein alpha (C/EBP alpha) gene expression by thiazolidinediones in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

Thiazolidinediones are a class of antidiabetic drugs that induce preadipocyte differentiation by binding and activating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma 2. Although thiazolidinediones are commonly thought of as insulin-sensitizing agents, these drugs have opposing and antagonistic effects to that of insulin on CCAAT/enhancer binding protein alpha (C/EBP alpha) gene expression in fully differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Thiazolidinediones induce expression of C/EBP alpha mRNA and protein, while insulin stimulates a rapid decline in C/EBP alpha mRNA and protein. When added in combination, thiazolidinediones block the suppression of C/EBP alpha mRNA by insulin; however, thiazolidinediones do not block the insulin-induced decline in GLUT4 mRNA, indicating that repression of C/EBP alpha mRNA is not required for insulin to suppress expression of a C/EBP alpha-responsive gene such as GLUT4. Instead, insulin may regulate GLUT4 mRNA by inactivating C/EBP alpha through dephosphorylation as well as by inducing the expression of the dominant-negative form of C/EBP beta (liver inhibitory protein), since both of these processes occur in the presence of thiazolidinediones.

3T3 Cells↗

4-Bromocrotonic acid enhances basal but inhibits insulin-stimulated glucose transport in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

Inhibitors of fatty acid oxidation, 2-bromopalmitic acid (Br-C16) and 4-bromocrotonic acid (Br-C4) were examined for their effect on glucose transport in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Whereas Br-C16 was without effect, Br-C4 augmented basal but inhibited insulin-stimulated 2-deoxyglucose uptake in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Immunoblot analysis indicated that following Br-C4 pretreatment, the content of GLUT1 in plasma membranes was increased whereas insulin-induced translocation of GLUT4 was greatly eliminated. The total cellular amount of GLUT1 or GLUT4, on the other hand, was not altered. Thus these results seem to suggest that Br-C4 has opposite effect on basal and insulin-stimulated glucose transport by a mechanism other than its inhibition of fatty acid oxidation. The translocation processes for both GLUT1 and GLUT4 transporters appears to be altered.

3T3 Cells↗

Insulin resistance in cancer patients is associated with enhanced tumor necrosis factor-alpha expression in skeletal muscle.

The roles of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and the facilitative glucose transporter (GLUT) 4 on the induction of insulin resistance in peripheral tissues of cancer patients was examined by quantitative competitive PCR on biopsies of abdominal rectal muscle from patients with gastrointestinal cancer. The degree of insulin resistance in these patients was measured by the euglycemic hyperinsulinemic glucose clamp using a high physiologic insulin concentration (100 microU/ml). Quantitative competitive PCR was carried out using DNA competitors constructed by deleting 20-30 bp between the two primer annealing sites. Decreased glucose uptake (M value) in peripheral tissues was accompanied by a significantly increased TNF-alpha mRNA in skeletal muscle (r=0.867, p=0.0025). GLUT4 mRNA, however, was positively correlated with M values (r=0.739, p=0.015). The amounts of mRNAs for TNF-alpha and GLUT4 in skeletal muscle were not correlated. Serum TNF-alpha concentrations remained below the limit of detection. These findings suggest that the insulin resistance in peripheral tissues of cancer patients is in part due to the induction TNF-alpha mRNA and the down regulation of GLUT4 mRNA in peripheral tissues.

Female↗

AMP-Activated protein kinase is activated by the stimulations of G(q)-coupled receptors.

The AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) functions as a metabolic sensor that monitors cellular AMP and ATP levels. Platelet-activating factor (PAF) activates endogeneous AMPKalpha1 in Chinese hamster ovary cells expressing the PAF receptor coupled with both G(i) and G(q), but its activity was not inhibited after treatment with islet-activating protein. Norepinephrine and bradykinin also activated AMPKalpha1 in cells expressing the G(q)-coupled alpha(1b)-adrenergic receptor and bradykinin receptor, respectively. Stimulations of the G(i)-coupled alpha(2A)-adrenergic receptor, fMet-Leu-Phe receptor, prostaglandin EP3alpha receptor, and G(s)-coupled beta(2)-adrenergic receptor did not activate AMPKalpha1. AMPKalpha1 thus is activated specifically by stimulation of G(q)-coupled receptors. G(q)-coupled receptors transmit the signal for GLUT4 translocation and glucose uptake through an insulin-independent pathway. However, direct activation of AMPKalpha1 with treatment of 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-beta-d-ribofuranoside did not trigger GLUT4 translocation nor stimulate glucose uptake in our cells. Thus, activation of AMPKalpha1 via G(q) is not sufficient to trigger GLUT4 translocation or stimulate glucose uptake.

AMP-Activated Protein Kinases↗

H-ras induces glucose uptake in brown adipocytes in an insulin- and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-independent manner.

Fetal brown adipocytes (parental cells) expressed mainly Glut4 mRNA glucose transporter, the expression of Glut1 mRNA being much lower. At physiological doses, insulin stimulation for 15 min increased 3-fold glucose uptake and doubled the amount of Glut4 protein located at the plasma membrane. Moreover, phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase activity was induced by the presence of insulin in those cells, glucose uptake being precluded by PI 3-kinase inhibitors such as wortmannin or LY294002. H-raslys12-transformed brown adipocytes showed a 10-fold higher expression of Glut1 mRNA and protein than parental cells, Glut4 gene expression being completely down-regulated. Glucose uptake increased by 10-fold in transformed cells compared to parental cells; this uptake was unaltered in the presence of insulin and/or wortmannin. Transient transfection of parental cells with a dominant form of active Ras increased basal glucose uptake by 5-fold, no further effects being observed in the presence of insulin. However, PI 3-kinase activity (immunoprecipitated with anti-alphap85 subunit of PI 3-kinase) remained unaltered in H-ras permanent and transient transfectants. Our results indicate that activated Ras induces brown adipocyte glucose transport in an insulin-independent manner, this induction not involving PI 3-kinase activation.

Adipocytes↗

PLCgamma participates in insulin stimulation of glucose uptake through activation of PKCzeta in brown adipocytes.

Based on recent studies showing that PLCgamma associates to insulin receptor, we investigated its role in insulin stimulation of glucose transport in brown adipocytes. Insulin stimulation induced rapid PLCgamma association to phosphorylated insulin receptor, and activation of PLCgamma, as assessed by the mobilization of Ca(2+) from intracellular stores and by the production of the second messenger DAG. Both events are dependent on activation of PI3-kinase. Inhibition of PLCgamma activity either with the chemical compound U73122 or with an inhibitor peptide precluded insulin stimulation of glucose uptake, GLUT4 translocation, and actin reorganization, as wortmannin did. In contrast, the inactive analog U73343 did not have an inhibitory effect. Furthermore, translocation of GLUT4-GFP in response to insulin was completely abolished by cotransfection with a PLCgamma-inactive mutant in HeLa cells, a cell model sensitive to insulin that express PLCgamma. U73122 did not affect PI3-kinase nor Akt activation, but impaired PKCzeta activation by insulin, as wortmannin did. PLC activity renders two products, IP(3) and DAG, and DAG can be metabolized to PA by the action of DAG-kinase. Using the compound R54494, a DAG-kinase inhibitor, insulin-induced PKCzeta activation was also suppressed, this activity being restored by addition of PA. In summary, these data indicate that PLCgamma, activated at least partially by PI3-kinase, is a link between insulin receptor and PKCzeta through the production of PA and could mediate insulin-induced glucose uptake and GLUT4 translocation.

Adipocytes↗

Quantitation of Na+/K(+)-ATPase and glucose transporter isoforms in rat adipocyte plasma membrane by immunogold labeling.

We have quantitated and studied the topology of isoforms of the Na+/K(+)-ATPase and of the glucose transporter in rat adipocyte plasma membranes. Adipocytes were incubated with or without insulin for 15 min. Sheets of native plasma membrane, with the cytoplasmic face exposed, were prepared by adsorption to EM grids. Grids were incubated in parallel with monoclonal antibodies against the Na+/K(+)-ATPase isoforms alpha 1 and alpha 2, and the glucose transporter isoforms GLUT1 and GLUT4, followed by immunogold labeling, negative staining and quantitation by counting of the gold particles in electron micrographs. In addition, the distribution of glucose transporters and Na+/K(+)-ATPase isoforms in subcellular membrane fractions prepared by an established fractionation procedure was monitored by Western blotting. We found that the Na+/K(+)-ATPases and the glucose transporters were confined to the planar part of the plasma membrane, without association to caveolar invaginations. The vast majority of the Na+/K(+)-ATPase molecules in the adipocyte plasma membrane were of the alpha 2 isoform; GLUT4 was the dominating glucose transporter isoform. The total number of Na+/K(+)-ATPase molecules labeled in the plasma membrane was 3.5 x 10(5) per cell, independent of insulin stimulation. Concomitantly, insulin increased GLUT4 labeling sevenfold to a value of 3.5 x 10(5) per cell.

Adipose Tissue↗

Rosiglitazone produces insulin sensitisation by increasing expression of the insulin receptor and its tyrosine kinase activity in brown adipocytes.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Rosiglitazone is used to treat Type 2 diabetes because it improves insulin sensitivity. However, the specific molecular mechanism by which this compound acts has not yet been explained. METHODS: We used fetal rat primary brown adipocytes cultured for 24 h with or without 10 micro mol/l rosiglitazone and further stimulated for 5 min with 10 nmol/l insulin. Next we measured glucose uptake and GLUT4 translocation and submitted the cells to lysis, immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting in order to measure the insulin signalling cascade. RESULTS: Rosiglitazone noticeably activated basal glucose uptake in a manner dependent on p38-mitogen-activated protein kinase. Rosiglitazone also produced a 40% increase in insulin-stimulated glucose uptake as a result of increased GLUT4 translocation to the plasma membrane. This happened without changes in the expression of GLUT4 at the mRNA or protein level. This effect correlated with the potentiation by rosiglitazone of insulin-stimulated Tyr phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate-1 and to a greater extent of insulin receptor substrate-2. It also correlated with the subsequent activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and Akt, without changes in protein kinase Czeta activity. Rosiglitazone treatment increased insulin receptor expression and insulin-stimulated Tyr phosphorylation of insulin receptor beta-chain, but decreased insulin-stimulated Ser phosphorylation. It also potentiated insulin-induced Tyr phosphorylation of insulin receptor beta-chain and protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B in co-immunoprecipitates and impaired insulin activation of protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B activity. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: At the insulin receptor level, rosiglitazone-induced improvements of insulin sensitivity result from two convergent mechanisms: increased insulin receptor expression and insulin receptor activation.

Adipocytes↗

Regulation of insulin signalling, glucose uptake and metabolism in rat skeletal muscle cells upon prolonged exposure to resistin.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Debate exists regarding the role of resistin in the pathophysiology of insulin resistance. The aim of this study was to directly assess the effects of resistin (0-24 h) on basal and insulin-stimulated glucose uptake and metabolism in skeletal muscle cells and to investigate the mechanisms responsible for the effects of resistin. METHODS: We used L6 rat skeletal muscle cells and examined [(3)H]2-deoxyglucose uptake, GLUT4 translocation and GLUT protein content. We assessed glucose metabolism by measuring the incorporation of D-[U-(14)C]glucose into glycogen, (14)CO(2) and lactate production, as well as the phosphorylation level and total protein content of insulin signalling proteins, including insulin receptor beta-subunit (IRbeta), insulin receptor substrate (IRS), Akt and glycogen synthase kinase-3beta (GSK-3beta). RESULTS: Treatment of L6 rat skeletal muscle cells with recombinant resistin (50 nmol/l, 0-24 h) reduced levels of basal and insulin-stimulated 2-deoxyglucose uptake and decreased insulin-stimulated GLUT4myc content at the cell surface, with no alteration in the production of GLUT4 or GLUT1. Resistin also decreased glycogen synthesis and GSK-3beta phosphorylation. Insulin-stimulated oxidation of glucose via the Krebs cycle was reduced by resistin, whereas lactate production was unaltered. Although insulin receptor protein level and phosphorylation were unaltered by resistin, production of IRS-1, but not IRS-2, was downregulated and a decreased tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS-1 was detected. Reduced phosphorylation of Akt on T308 and S473 was observed, while total Akt and Akt1, but not Akt2 or Akt3, production was decreased. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: Our data show that resistin regulates the function of IRS-1 and Akt1 and decreases GLUT4 translocation and glucose uptake in response to insulin. Selective decreases in insulin-stimulated glucose metabolism via oxidation and conversion to glycogen were also induced by resistin. These observations highlight the potential role of resistin in the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes in obesity.

Animals↗

Effects of tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) on glucose transport and lipid metabolism of newly-differentiated human fat cells in cell culture.

Tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) has been found to cause a delipidation of fat cells and a decrease of the adipose tissue mass. In the present study, we tried to elucidate some of the mechanisms responsible for this phenomenon by investigating the action of TNF alpha on specific pathways which are involved in lipid storage. Cultured stromal cells from human adipose tissue were induced to differentiate into adipose cells by exposure to adipogenic factors and subsequently used for studying the effects of TNF alpha on fat cell metabolism. Presence of 5 nmol/l TNF alpha for 24 h resulted in a complete loss of the stimulatory effect of insulin on 2-deoxy-glucose transport. This inhibitory action was paralleled by a decrease of GLUT4 protein and mRNA levels. The amount of cellular GLUT4 protein was reduced by 49 +/- 3% after a 24-h exposure and by 82 +/- 18% after a 72-h exposure to 5 nmol/l TNF alpha. GLUT4 mRNA was almost undetectable after a 24-h incubation with 5 nmol/l TNF alpha. In a similar time-dependent manner, TNF alpha dramatically reduced the lipoprotein lipase mRNA content of the cells. Furthermore, incubation of cultured human fat cells with TNF alpha resulted in a marked dose-dependent stimulation of lipolysis, assessed by glycerol release, by up to 400% above controls, which became apparent after a 6-h exposure at the earliest.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adipose Tissue↗