Abstract

Thermal injury causes a hypermetabolic state associated with increased levels of catabolic hormones, but the molecular bases for the metabolic abnormalities are poorly understood. We investigated the lipolytic responses after beta(3)-adrenoceptor (beta(3)-AR) agonists and evaluated the associated changes in beta-AR and its downstream signaling molecules in adipocytes isolated from rats with thermal injury. Maximal lipolytic responses to a specific beta(3)-AR agonist, BRL-37344, were significantly attenuated at post burn days (PBD) 3 and 7. Despite significant reduction of the cell surface beta(3)-AR number and its mRNA at PBD 3 and 7, BRL-37344 and forskolin-stimulated cAMP levels were not decreased. Glycerol production in response to dibutyryl cAMP, a direct stimulant of hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) via protein kinase A (PKA), was significantly attenuated. Although immunoblot analysis indicated no differences in the expression and activity of PKA or in the expression of HSL, HSL activity showed significant reductions. Finally, beta(3)-AR-induced insulin secretion was indeed attenuated in vivo. These studies indicate that the beta(3)-AR system is desensitized after burns, both in the adipocytes and in beta(3)-AR-induced secretion of insulin. Furthermore, these data suggest a complex and unique mechanism underlying the altered signaling of lipolysis at the level of HSL in animals after burns.

View details for Web of Science ID 000081809200017

View details for PubMedID 10444428