ABSTRACT

Carbonic anhydrase (CA) and Mg²⁺-dependent ATPase and Mg²⁺-dependent, HCO₃ ⁻-dependent ATPase (Mg²⁺-HCO₃ ⁻-ATPase) activities in rat duodenal mucosa and kidney cortex were examined with respect to thyroidal status. Administration of 50 and 150 μg thyroxine (T₄)/kg per day s.c. for 7 days decreased duodenal cytosol CA activity to 66% of control with the former and 43% with the latter dose, while Mg²⁺-HCO₃ ⁻-ATPase activity in brush borders of duodenal mucosa was increased to 116% of control by 150 μg T₄/kg. CA and Mg²⁺-HCO₃ ⁻-ATPase activities in the cytosol and brush border of kidney cortex did not change after administration of T₄. Hypothyroidism induced by thyroidectomy for 2 and 4 weeks or administration of methimazole (2·5–20 mg/kg per day s.c. or peroral) for 2, 3 and 4 weeks all increased duodenal cytosol CA activity, to about 140% at 2 weeks and 153% at 4 weeks after thyroidectomy, and to about 136% after the oral administration of 10 mg methimazole/kg per day for 4 weeks, while brush border Mg²⁺-HCO₃ ⁻-ATPase activity was decreased to 56% of control 4 weeks after thyroidectomy and to 74% after the s.c. administration of 20 mg methimazole/kg per day for 3 weeks. The increase in CA activity and the decrease in ATPase activity after thyroidectomy were restored to normal levels by replacement with T₄. Neither enzyme activity in the kidney changed in hypothyroidism. Serum concentrations of T₄ and cortisol-like material increased after administration of T₄, and serum concentrations of T₄, aldosterone and cortisol-like material all decreased in hypothyroidism. Correlations were observed between duodenal CA and Mg²⁺-HCO₃ ⁻-ATPase activities and serum concentrations of T₄ (P < 0·01). These results reveal that the decrease in CA activity and the increase in Mg²⁺-HCO₃ ⁻-ATPase activity of duodenal mucosa in hyperthyroidism are reversed in hypothyroidism, while both enzyme activities in the kidney are unrelated to thyroidal status.

Journal of Endocrinology (1990) 126, 119–129

Extracellular-superoxide dismutase (EC-SOD) is a secretory glycoprotein located in blood vessel walls at high levels and may be important in the antioxidant capability of vascular walls. The aim of this study was to assess plasma levels of EC-SOD and to evaluate the relationship of the EC-SOD level with insulin resistance in type 2 diabetic patients. We determined plasma EC-SOD in 122 patients and found for the first time that the EC-SOD level was strongly and positively related to adiponectin (r=0.503, P < 0.001), and significantly and inversely related to fasting plasma glucose (FPG) (r=-0.209, P=0.022), body-mass index (BMI) (r=-0.187, P=0.040) and homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance index (HOMA-R) (r=-0.190, P=0.039). Stepwise-multiple regression analysis also showed a significant influence of adiponectin (F=33.27) on the EC-SOD level. Administration of pioglitazone to 19 diabetic patients significantly increased the plasma levels of EC-SOD (69.9+/-19.3 ng/ml to 97.4+/-25.9 ng/ml; P < 0.0001) and adiponectin, while it decreased tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). The present observations suggest that factors related to the pathogenesis of insulin resistance play an important role in the regulation of the plasma EC-SOD concentration. It is possible that the increase in the EC-SOD level by pioglitazone administration in diabetic patients is due to a decline of TNF-alpha, which is known to suppress EC-SOD expression.

Abstract

To examine the structure–activity relationships in the insulinotropic activity of glucagon-like peptide-1(7–36) amide (GLP-1(7–36)amide), we synthesized 16 analogues, including eight which were designed by amino acid substitutions at positions 10 (Ala10), 15 (Serl5), 16 (Tyr16), 17 (Arg17), 18 (Lys18), 21 (Gly21), 27 (Lys27) and 31 (Asp31) of GLP-1(7–36)amide with an amino acid of GH-releasing factor possessing only slight insulinotropic activity, and three tentative antagonists including [Glu¹⁵]-GLP-1(8–36)amide. Their insulinotropic activities were assessed by rat pancreas perfusion experiments, and binding affinity to GLP-1 receptors and stimulation of cyclic AMP (cAMP) production were evaluated using cultured RINm5F cells.

Insulinotropic activity was estimated as GLP-1(7–36)amide = Tyr16>Lys18, Lys27>Gly21>Asp31⪢Ser15,Arg17>Ala10⪢GRF>[Glu¹⁵]-GLP-1(8–36) amide. Displacement activity against ¹²⁵I-labelled GLP-1 (7–36)amide binding and stimulatory activity for cAMP production in RINm5F cells correlated well with their insulinotropic activity in perfused rat pancreases.

These results demonstrate that (1) positions 10 (glycine), 15 (aspartic acid) and 17 (serine) in the amino acid sequence of GLP-1(7–36)amide, in addition to the N-terminal histidine, are essential for its insulinotropic activity through its binding to the receptor, (2) the amino acid sequences for the C-terminal half of GLP-1(7–36)amide also contribute to its binding to the receptor, although they are less important compared with those of the N-terminal half, and (3) [Glu¹⁵]-GLP-1(8–36)amide is not an antagonist of GLP-1(7–36)amide as opposed to des-His¹ [Glu⁹]-glucagon amide which is a potent glucagon antagonist.

Journal of Endocrinology (1994) 140, 45–52

Thyroid hormone receptors (TR) are members of the nuclear receptor superfamily. There are at least two TR isoforms, TRalpha and TRbeta, which act as mediators of thyroid hormone in tissues. However, the relative expression of each TR isoform in target tissues is still elusive. Herein, we have developed an RT-PCR and restriction enzyme digestion method to determine the expression of TRalpha1 and TRbeta1. We analyzed the expression of TR isoforms in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes induced to differentiate by an adipogenic cocktail in the presence or absence of 100 nM triiodothyronine (T(3)). The TRalpha1 isoform was predominantly expressed in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, and its expression was increased at the stage of development concomitant with the emergence of lipid droplets. Little, if any, TRbeta1 mRNA was detected in adipocytes. Administration of T(3) to the differentiating 3T3-L1 cells enhanced the accumulation of triglyceride. The expression profile of TRalpha1 in T(3)-treated adipocytes was similar to that in non-treated cells. The transcripts of adipogenic factors, CCAAT/enhancer binding protein beta (C/EBPbeta) and peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma), were not altered by T(3). Lipid binding protein, aP2, that is downstream of these transcription factors was also unaffected by T(3). In contrast, the lipogenic enzyme, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase mRNA was significantly increased in the presence of T(3). Therefore, T(3) appears to be a hormone capable of modulating the expression of lipogenic enzyme and augments the accumulation of lipid droplets. We conclude that the TRalpha isoform might play an important role in the generation and maintenance of the mature adipocyte phenotype, regulating the expression of lipogenic enzymes.

Abstract

It has been surmised that GH exerts feedback action on the hypothalamus and thereby regulates its own secretion. Our previous studies suggested that GH acts on somatostatin neurons in the hypothalamic periventricular nucleus (PeV) and neuropeptide Y (NPY) neurons in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (ARC). However, there remains uncertainty whether GH acts directly or indirectly through the generation of IGFs on the hypothalamus to regulate its own secretion. To examine this, rat GH (rGH) or human IGF-I was injected directly into a defined area of the hypothalamus, and the blood GH profile was observed in conscious male rats. In the rats given 0·5 μg rGH into the ARC or PeV bilaterally, GH secretion was inhibited, and the inhibition lasted for 12 h. During the period of inhibition, the duration and amplitude of GH pulses were significantly decreased and the episodic secretion of GH appeared irregularly compared with the vehicle-injected control rats. In control rats given the vehicle or those given rGH into the lateral hypothalamus, the blood GH profile did not change and pulsatile GH secretion was produced every 3 h. When 0·1 μg IGF-I was injected into the ARC or PeV bilaterally, the blood GH secretory pattern was not affected. Together with the results of our previous studies showing that c-fos gene expression was induced by systemic administration of GH and that GH receptor mRNA was contained in somatostatin neurons in the PeV and NPY neurons in the ARC, the data of the present study indicate that GH, but not IGF-I, acts on the cells in the ARC and the PeV or in their vicinity to inhibit its own secretion, presumably by activating the somatostatin and NPY neurons.

Journal of Endocrinology (1997) 153, 283–290

ABSTRACT

The distribution of a novel neuropeptide, pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP), was studied in the brain of the rat and man and a variety of other rat tissues using Northern blot hybridization and two radioimmunoassays for PACAP 1–38 and PACAP 1–27. The assay, using PACAP 1–38 as standard and an antibody to PACAP 21–38 and radiolabelled tracer, revealed immunoreactive PACAP in all brain regions examined, with the highest concentrations in the rat being in the hypothalamus, nucleus accumbens and substantia nigra (380 ± 34, 310 ± 37 and 346 ± 30 pmol/g wet tissue, means±s.e.m., n = 5 respectively), whilst in man the highest concentrations were found in the pituitary gland (15·8 ± 4·7 pmol/g). Immunoreactive PACAP 1–38 was also detected in the rat gastrointestinal tract, adrenal gland and testis. The assay using PACAP 1–27 as standard and label and an antibody to PACAP 1–27 detected immunoreactive PACAP only in the rat hypothalamus (12·6 ± 1·8 pmol/g wet tissue, n = 5). PACAP mRNA of approximately 2·7 kb in size was detectable in all brain regions of both rat and man, and its distribution paralleled that of the immunoreactive peptide.

Gel permeation chromatography of different regions of human and rat hypothalamus, and also rat spinal cord and small intestine, showed a broad immunoreactive peak corresponding to PACAP 1–38. Fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC) resolved this peak into two immunoreactive peaks, the majority eluting in the position of synthetic PACAP 1–38. Presence of immunoreactivity corresponding to PACAP 1–27 was also confirmed in rat hypothalamic extracts using FPLC. The presence of immunoreactive PACAP and its precursor encoding mRNA in various neural and other tissues is in accord with a role for PACAP as a neurotransmitter, neuromodulator or neurohormone.

Journal of Endocrinology (1993) 136, 159–166

ABSTRACT

Monoclonal antibodies (McAb) and polyclonal antibodies (PcAb) against human insulin-like growth factor-I (somatomedin C; hIGF-I) were produced. Using these two antibodies, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) system for hIGF-I was established. The ELISA system was able to detect hIGF-I at a range of 1–25 μg/l, compared with the range of 1–50 μg/l detected by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Human IGF-II and human insulin could not be recognized in this system. The plasma concentrations of IGF-I found using the ELISA agreed well with those found using RIA after conventional Sep-Pak C₁₈ cartridge pretreatment. Epitopes of hIGF-I to McAb and PcAb were investigated by enzymatic digestion of hIGF-I followed by comparing the affinity of the antibodies to the peptides obtained proteolytically. The epitope to McAb was found to be a peptide containing Leu¹⁰-Val¹¹-Asp¹² (epitope 2). Five epitopes to PcAb containing the following key fragments were identified: a conformational structure formed by the disulphide bonds between Cys⁶ and Cys⁴⁸, and between Cys⁴⁷ and Cys⁵² (epitope 1), Leu¹⁰-Val¹¹-Asp¹² (epitope 2), Val¹⁷-Cys¹⁸-Gly¹⁹-Asp²⁰ (epitope 3), Arg²¹-Gly²²-Phe²³-Tyr²⁴ (epitope 4) and Lys⁶⁸-Ser⁶⁹-Ala⁷⁰ (epitope 5). Of these, the peptide containing epitope 5 showed the highest affinity to PcAb. The results indicated that our ELISA system combined recognition by epitope 2 of McAb and recognition by epitope 5 of PcAb to obtain its good specificity.

Journal of Endocrinology (1990) 125, 327–335

ABSTRACT

High concentrations of a novel pituitary protein (7B2) have been shown to be present in the PC12 rat phaeochromocytoma cell line by radioimmunoassay. 7B2-like immunoreactivity (IR-7B2) was released from PC12 cells into the incubation medium in response to stimulation by a depolarizing concentration of K⁺, and this K⁺-evoked release was inhibited by Co²⁺, The major IR-7B2 in PC12 cell and medium appeared to be identical to that in porcine pituitary gland as judged by both gel permeation chromatography and by reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Gel permeation chromatography of extracts of cell and medium revealed two IR-7B2 peaks, the earlier eluting at a elution coefficient (K _av) of 0·30 and the later at a K _av of 0·54. In medium, over 90% of the IR-7B2 eluted as the earlier peak. Fractionation of extracts of cell and medium on reverse-phase HPLC showed three main IR-7B2 peaks eluting at 43, 44·5 and 46% acetonitrile/water with 0·1% trifluoroacetic acid. The findings suggest that IR-7B2 might be released by calcium-mediated exocytosis.

J. Endocr. (1986) 108, 151–155

ABSTRACT

Changes in the amount of cytosolic 3,5,3′-tri-iodo-l-thyronine (T₃)-binding protein (CTBP) and its activator during administration of l-thyroxine (T₄) to thyroidectomized rats were investigated. Thyroidectomy decreased the amount of CTBP in the kidney, whereas the activator was not significantly modified by thyroidectomy. The activator was increased by administration of T₄ to thyroidectomized rats. The amount of CTBP was also increased by administration of T₄. The activator increased the maximal binding capacity (MBC) without changes in the affinity constant for T₃ binding in CTBP. A T₄-induced increase in MBC in cytosol inhibited nuclear T₃ binding in vitro by competition of T₃ binding between CTBP and the nuclear receptor.

These results suggest that thyroid hormone increases the capacity for cytosolic T₃ binding through increasing the amount of CTBP and its activator, and that these increases play a role in regulating the amount of T₃ that binds to its nuclear receptor.

Journal of Endocrinology (1989) 123, 99–104

Abstract

In order to study whether peripheral action of thyroid hormones is altered in insulin deficiency and to elucidate the biological consequences of alteration of the cytosolic 3,5,3′-tri-iodo-l-thyronine (T₃) binding protein (CTBP), we measured malic enzyme, T₃-responsive nuclear n protein, CTBP and nuclear thyroid hormone receptor in the liver and kidney of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats that were treated with or without insulin and/or a receptor-saturating dose of T₃. The following results were obtained. 1. Induction of malic enzyme by T₃ was apparently diminished in diabetic rats. However, supplementary injection of insulin enabled previously given T₃ to take effect in diabetic rats. 2. T₃-responsiveness of other hepatic proteins (n protein and CTBP) was not altered by insulin in diabetic rats. 3. The level of n protein was increased by insulin in diabetic rats in vivo and in perfused rat liver, indicating that the hepatic n protein is a novel insulin-responsive protein. T₃ and insulin increased the level of n protein non-synergistically in diabetic rat liver. 4. Hepatic nuclear receptor levels were not altered in diabetic rats. 5. Hepatic CTBP levels were decreased in diabetic rats. This was not due to the toxic effect of STZ. Low CTBP level was only partially increased by insulin after 30 days of diabetic period. Renal CTBP levels were not altered in diabetic rats with or without insulin treatment. These results indicate that reduction of CTBP did not influence the hepatic response to a receptor-saturating dose of T₃, although CTBP may regulate the nuclear T₃ transport, and that fundamental action of a receptor-saturating dose of T₃ was not attenuated in diabetic rat liver.

Journal of Endocrinology (1994) 143, 55–63