Effects of a synthetic adrenocortical steroid on the metabolism of adipose tissue

Abstract

Results of in vitro and in vivo experiments on the action of adrenal cortical steroid hormone on the metabolism of adipose tissue have indicated that the hormone inhibits glucose utilization in adipose tissue.The present paper summarizes the results of our experiments, both in vitro and in vivo, on the effect of β-methazone, a synthetic adrenal cortical steroid, on glucose uptake and insulin effect in epididymal adipose tissue of the rat.1) β-methazone (0.001 γ-10 γ/ml) did not effect any significant change when the medium in which the adipose tissue was immersed did not contain albumin, however, the stimulating effect of insulin (10 μu-1.000 μu/ml) on glucose uptake was definitely inhibited.2) When 2% albumin was added to the medium, β-methazone increased glucose uptake of adipose tissue, and simultaneously, increased the release of free fatty acid into the medium. These effects were not influenced by the glucose concentration of the medium or by the incubation time.3) The insulin effect in adipose tissue was also not inhibited by the addition of β- methazone when albumin was present in the medium. However, regarding the release of free fatty acid, β-methazone acted antagonistically to insulin.4) Basal glucose uptake and insulin sensitivity of the tissues were studied in the epididymal adipose tissue of rats which had been given β-methazone 1 mg., daily, for 3 consecutive days prior to extirpation. No significant difference in treated group and the control group, however, a decrease in insulin sensitivity was observed in the β-methazone group.Based on the results of the aforementioned experiments, a few considerations were made on the influence of corticosteroid hormones on adipose tissue metabolism, and suggestions were made that the imbalance between lipolytic hormones such as the hypophyseal, adrenal cortical hormones and insulin may be one of the causative factors in the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus.