ICI D7114 Research Articles

Anti-obesity effects of selective agonists to the beta 3-adrenergic receptor in dogs. I. The presence of canine beta 3-adrenergic receptor and in vivo lipomobilization by its agonists.

It is known that in rodents and humans the beta 3-adrenergic receptor (beta 3-AR) is present primarily in adipocytes and plays a significant role in the adrenergic stimulation of lipolysis. We examined the expression of beta 3-AR mRNA in the dog and the lipomobilizing effects of beta 3-AR-selective agonists in vivo. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction of RNA extracted from dog adipose tissue produced a cDNA fragment, the nucleotide sequence of which was highly homologous to the corresponding regions of human (86.4%) and mouse (79.5%) beta 3-AR cDNA. The beta 3-AR mRNA was present at high levels in subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissues, but undetectable in other organs. When a selective beta 3-AR agonist, CL316,243, was infused intravenously into beagle dogs, the plasma level of free fatty acid increased in 30 min and persisted at higher levels for several hours. ICI D7114, another beta 3-AR agonist, also showed a similar lipomobilizing effect, but with lower potency. beta 3-AR agonist infusion also increased the plasma insulin level. These results suggested that functional beta 3-AR is present in adipose tissues of the dog and that it is effective for in vivo lipomobilization.

Nonshivering thermogenesis in marsupials: absence of thermogenic response to beta 3-adrenergic agonists.

The status of nonshivering thermogenesis (NST) in marsupials remains controversial. Although morphological studies have failed to find evidence for the presence of brown adipose tissue (BAT) in adults or juveniles of species from all extant families of marsupial, a number of studies have investigated the metabolic response of marsupials to noradrenaline (NA) and yielded conflicting results. In eutherian mammals, NA stimulates NST in BAT by acting on beta 3-receptors, and in the experiments reported here we investigated the response of adult and juvenile brush tail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula), a Brazilian opossum (Monodelphis domestica), adult and juvenile red-necked (Bennett's) wallabies (Macropus rufogriseus) and the laboratory rat to selective beta 3-agonists (ICI D7114 and BRL 35135) and to NA. Wallabies were tested with the beta 3-agonists only. Although NA and both beta 3-agonists caused an 85% increase in oxygen consumption in rats, there was no significant effect on any of the marsupials. These results clearly indicate no beta 3-stimulated NST in these marsupials. All reports of metabolic responses to NA are from macropods, and a recent study demonstrates that NA and other alpha-adrenergic agonists stimulate thermogenesis in a small macropod, the bettong (Bettongia gaimardi), by acting on alpha 1-receptors. Thermogenic responses to NA seems to be restricted to macropods, showing the danger of characterising the response of any one marsupial species as being representative of marsupials as a group.

Pharmacological study of atypical β-adrenoceptors in rat esophageal smooth muscle

The chemical specificity for the β-adrenoceptor mediated relaxation of rat esophageal smooth muscle was evaluated using selective and non-selective β-adrenoceptor agonists and antagonists. Pindolol, ICI 89,406, ICI 118551 [erythro-1-(7-methylindan-4-yloxy)-3-(isopropylamine)-butan-2-ol] and the β-adrenoceptor alkylating agent, pindobind, produced only small rightward shifts in the concentration-response curves of (−)-trimetoquinol in this preparation. Rank order potency (p D 2 values) of agonists was: (±)-trimetoquinol [1-(3′,4′,5′-trimethoxybenzyl)-6,7-dihydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline] (8.34) = (−)-trimetoquinol (8.26) = BRL 37344 [(R∗R∗)-(±)-4-[2′-{{2-hydroxy-2-(3-chlorophenyl)ethylaminoc̊ub;}propyl]phenoxyacetic acid] (8.16) = ICI D7114 [( S)-4-(2-hydroxy-3-phenoxy-propylamino-ethoxy)- N-(2-methoxyethyl)phenoxyacetamide] (8.03) ≥ (−)-isoprenaline (7.82) > 3′,5′-diiodotrimetoquinol [1-(3′,5′-diiodo-4′-methoxybenzyl)-6,7-dihydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline] (7.28) > 3′-iodotrimetoquinol [1–3′-iodo-4′,5′-dimethoxybenzyl)-6,7-dihydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline] (7.04) > ractopamine (6.84) = 5,8-difluorotrimetoquinol [5,8-difluoro-6,7-dihydroxy-1-(3′,4′,5′-trimethoxybenzy)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisquinoline] (6.82) > 8-fluorotrimetoquinol [6,7-dihydroxy-8-fluoro-1-(3′,4′,5′-trimethoxybenzyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline] (6.56) ≥ (−)-noradrenaline (6.46) ≥ (−)-adrenaline (6.36) > (±)-noradrenaline (6.24) > (±)-adrenaline (6.00) > clenbuterol (5.83) > (−)-1-benzyl-6,7-dihydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (5.75). Isomeric activity ratios of trimetoquinol isomers [(−)-( S)- ⪢ (+)-) R)-] in esophageal smooth muscle in the presence and absence of 1 μM pindolol were 1995- and 2951-fold, respectively; and were much greater than those in rat atria (282-fold) and rat trachea (107-fold). The atypical β/β 3-adrenoceptor partial agonist, ICI D7114, produced concentration-dependent rightward shifts of the concentration-response curves of (−)-isoprenaline, (−)-trimetoquinol and the reference atypical β/β 3-adrenoceptor agonist, BRL 37344. Schild plot analysis of ICI D7114 against trimetoquinol gave slope and p A 2 values of 0.91 and of 7.9, respectively. These results clearly demonstrate that the relaxant effects of these agonists in rat esophageal smooth muscle are primarily mediated through the activation of atypical β/β 3-adrenoceptors. (−)-Trimetoquinol was as potent as (−)-isoprenaline and BRL 37344, and was the most stereoselective agonist evaluated in this tissue system.

Atypical responses of rat ileum to pindolol, cyanopindolol and iodocyanopindolol

1. Pindolol, cyanopindolol (CYP) and iodocyanopindolol (IodoCYP) have been reported to act either as antagonists, agonists or partial agonists at the beta 3-adrenoceptor in different preparations. A comprehensive investigation has not yet been described with these compounds tested in one tissue from one species. This study was conducted to delineate the pharmacological effects of pindolol, CYP and IodoCYP and to provide data on their affinities at the predominant beta-adrenoceptor in rat ileum. 2. The beta-adrenoceptors present in rat ileum were characterized in the presence of CGP 20712A and ICI 118 551, atropine and corticosterone, with (-)-isoprenaline used as an agonist. The role of the beta 1 and beta 2-adrenoceptors was determined by the omission of either CGP 20712A, ICI 118 551, or both, from the buffers. Conversely, the effectiveness of the beta 1- and beta 2-adrenoceptor blockade was examined by use of the beta 1-adrenoceptor-selective agonist, RO 363 and the beta 2-adrenoceptor-selective agonist, salbutamol. 3. There was no evidence for the presence of functional beta 1-adrenoceptors, and no strong evidence that beta 2-adrenoceptor stimulation contributed to the relaxant effects of (-)-isoprenaline. (-)-Phenylephrine did not produce relaxation of the tissue and 5-hydroxytryptamine produced contraction. 4. The beta 3-adrenoceptor-selective agonist, BRL 37344 and (-)-isoprenaline were potent full agonists (pD2 8.35 +/- 0.04 and 7.76 +/- 0.14 respectively), whereas ICI D7114 was less potent (pseudo pD2 6.92 +/- 0.15). These results indicate that the predominant functional beta-adrenoceptors in rat ileum are beta 3-adrenoceptors. 5. Partial agonist effects were produced by CYP (pD2 5.28 +/- 0.26) and IodoCYP (pD2 7.0 +/- 0.26), but not pindolol. All three compounds antagonized the effects of (-)-isoprenaline with pKb values of 6.68 +/- 0.10, 7.59 +/- 0.07 and 7.59 +/- 0.11 for pindolol, CYP and IodoCYP respectively. Likewise, CYP and IodoCYP antagonized the effects of BRL 37344 with pKb values of 7.20 +/- 0.22 and 7.21 +/- 0.14 respectively. This study provides the first functional data on the effects of IodoCYP, the ligand with the highest known affinity for the beta 3-adrenoceptor, at the characterized rat ileum beta 3-adrenoceptor. 6. In conclusion, whereas pKb values suggest that CYP and IodoCYP have a similar affinity for the beta 3-adrenoceptor in rat ileum, the higher potency of IodoCYP suggests that it promotes a greater coupling efficiency, or that its partial agonist effects are produced through a site other than the beta 3-adrenoceptor. The similar pKb values for CYP and IodoCYP at the beta 3-adrenoceptor contrast with their order of known affinities at the beta 1- and beta 2-adrenoceptors, where IodoCYP is far more potent than CYP. This provides evidence of further differences in the characteristics of the beta 3-adrenoceptors compared to the beta 1- and beta 2-adrenoceptors. Finally, the utility of IodoCYP as a beta 3-adrenoceptor antagonist would appear to be limited because of the greater magnitude of partial agonist effects that it produces.

Induction of naphropathy in rats following administration of ICI D7114, A β-adrenoceptor agonist

Induction of naphropathy in rats following administration of ICI D7114, A β-adrenoceptor agonist

Induction of Nephropathy in Rats Following Administration of ICI D7114, A β-adrenoceptor Agonist

Induction of Nephropathy in Rats Following Administration of ICI D7114, A β-adrenoceptor Agonist

Effect of chronic treatment with ICI D7114, a selective beta 3-adrenoceptor agonist, on macronutrient selection and brown adipose tissue thermogenesis in Sprague-Dawley rats.

ICI D7114 is a selective beta 3-agonist which stimulates brown adipose tissue thermogenesis. In the present study the effects of 18 days treatment with ICI D7114 (2 mg/kg/day orally) on macronutrient selection and brown adipose tissue thermogenesis were investigated in Sprague-Dawley rats. The rats were maintained on a free-feeding self-selection paradigm with three pure macronutrient diets of carbohydrate, fat and protein. Treatment with ICI D7114 did not change the macronutrient selection or total calories consumed by the rats. To monitor the thermogenic activation of brown adipose tissue the binding of [3H]GDP to brown adipose tissue mitochondria was measured. The treatment with ICI D7114 increased the binding of GDP both when expressed as total binding per lobe (P < 0.001) and per mg of protein (P < 0.01). It is concluded that ICI D7114, used in doses affecting brown adipose tissue thermogenesis, does not change the macronutrient selection or total energy intake in Sprague-Dawley rats.

The use of competitive displacement agents to resolve albumin binding problems observed during the development of a radioimmunoassay for ICI 215001

A radioimmunoassay has been developed for the analysis of ICI 215001, a carboxylic acid metabolite of ICI D7114. The level of binding and sensitivity of the assay were good in the absence of plasma. However, the addition of plasma to the incubation medium reduced the antibody binding of radiolabelled tracer ( I) from 41 to 9%. This was attributed to the high (>99%) plasma albumin binding of ICI 215001. A series of compounds ( dl-tryptophan, octanoic acid, bilirubin, ponalrestat, warfarin, phenylbutazone and salicylic acid) which all bind to plasma albumin, were examined for their effect on the tracer—antibody interaction. Warfarin and phenylbutazone were the only compounds to specifically displace the iodinated tracer from albumin; warfarin was the only compound to restore antibody binding to control levels. The warfarin concentration and the pH of the incubation medium also had a substantial effect on the magnitude of the displacement. The optimized method for the analysis of ICI 215001 in human plasma (20μl) used phosphate buffer (pH 6.0, 0.1) M containing warfarin (50 μ ml −1), which gave an assay with the desired specificity, precision and sensitivity.

Effects of selective antagonism of beta-adrenoceptor sub-types on responses to isoprenaline in rat distal colon in vitro.

1. The effects of the beta 1- and beta 2-adrenoceptor selective antagonists, CGP 20712A and ICI 118551 respectively, on responses to isoprenaline-induced relaxation of rat distal colon were investigated in order to determine the contributions of these subtypes to relaxation. In addition, the properties of ICI D7114, a novel putative stimulant of atypical beta-adrenoceptors, were investigated. Our preliminary experiments with ICI D7114 showed that this compound lacked agonist activity in rat distal colon and in fact antagonized responses to isoprenaline. We therefore studied the antagonism of isoprenaline by ICI D7114 in more detail. 2. Longitudinal segments of rat distal colon were suspended in Krebs solution at 37 degrees C for isometric recording. The Krebs solution contained EDTA (23 microM) and prazosin (0.1 microM) and was gassed with 95/5% O2/CO2. After an initial equilibration period, reproducible contractions to a submaximal concentration of methacholine (1 microM) were obtained before carrying out a concentration-response curve (CRC) to isoprenaline in a non-cumulative manner. Four consecutive CRCs to isoprenaline were carried out in each tissue with a 1 h interval between each curve. Antagonists were present in increasing concentrations during the intervals between CRCs. Control tissues received no antagonists to allow estimation of the magnitude of time-dependent changes. 3. Isoprenaline produced a concentration-dependent inhibition of methacholine-induced contractions. CRCs to isoprenaline were reproducible with no significant time-dependent changes. Propranolol produced no shift of the isoprenaline CRC at 0.01 microM and a 5 fold shift at 0.1 microM. No further shift was observed with 1 microM. CGP 20712A had no effect on the CRC to isoprenaline at 0.1, 1 and 3 microM. ICI118551 produced little or no shift at 0.1 microM and a six fold shift with 1 microM. No further shift was observed with 3 microM. ICI D7114 produced a concentration-dependent parallel rightward shift of the CRC to isoprenaline. Schild analysis gave a slope close to unity and a mean pA2 value of 7.29 for ICI D7114.4. The results with propranolol and ,l- and 132-adrenoceptor antagonists confirm the mainly atypical nature of beta-adrenoceptors in rat distal colon. There may also be a small contribution from beta2-adrenoceptors in the response to isoprenaline but beta1-adrenoceptors are absent. ICI D7114 has no agonist activity and behaves as a relatively high affinity reversible competitive antagonist of atypical beta-adrenoceptors in this preparation.

The beta 3-adrenoceptor agonist ICI-D7114 is not as efficient on reinduction of uncoupling protein mRNA in sheep as it is in dogs and smaller species.

Adipose tissue in newborn lambs is brown, but within a few days it is transformed into white adipose tissue. In the same way, preadipocytes cultured in serum-free chemically defined medium achieve full differentiation and express uncoupling protein (UCP), a marker of brown adipose tissue, when isolated from perirenal adipose tissue of the newborn, whereas they no longer express UCP when isolated from older lambs. The effects of a chronic stimulation of adipose tissue by novel beta 3-adrenoceptor agonist (ICI D7114) on the maintenance after birth and on the reinduction in older lambs of UCP mRNA in adipose tissue were studied. Treatment of newborn lambs with this agonist for 25 d maintained a slight level of UCP mRNA in perirenal and pericardiac, but not in omental and inguinal, adipose tissue depots. Preadipocytes isolated from perirenal adipose tissue of treated animals differentiated, in vitro, into adipocytes, but no UCP mRNA could be detected either in the absence or in the presence of the beta 3-adrenoceptor agonist in the culture medium. Treatment of 1-mo-old lambs with ICI D7114 for 12 d restored UCP mRNA in perirenal and pericardiac adipose tissues of two of four treated lambs, but at a much lower level than in the same tissues at birth. In both experiments, the final BW and the ADG of lambs treated with ICI D7114 were not statistically different from controls. These results are quite different from those obtained with the same beta 3-adrenoceptor agonist in dogs and rodents.

In vivo beta-adrenergic induction of the unmasking of the uncoupling protein in rat brown fat.

1. In 28 degrees C adapted rats (WA) both cold stress and norepinephrine (NE) led to a 4-fold increase of uncoupling protein dependent proton conductance which was abolished by propranolol (PRO). 2. In 4-day warm re-exposed rats (after 10 days at 5 degrees C) (WR) the same uncoupling by cold stress was observed but the NE effect was lower. Uncoupling by cold stress was not abolished by PRO. 3. In WR rats, uncoupling was not due to the involvement of an alpha-adrenergic pathway. 4. Both beta-agonist isoproterenol and beta 3-agonists BRL 35135A and ICI D7114 led to high levels of unmasking. 5. Interscapular brown adipose tissue surgical denervation, which abolished cold stress unmasking both in WA and, WR rats, indicates a mediation by direct sympathetic innervation. 6. Depending on the thermal history of the rat, the possibility that unmasking by cold stress could be mediated by different types of beta-receptors is discussed.

Evaluation of ICI D7114, a putative stimulant of brown adipocytes, on histamine‐contracted guinea‐pig ileum

1. Experiments were performed to characterize the effects of the novel brown adipocyte stimulant, ICI D7114, in the guinea-pig isolated ileum, right atrium and tracheal chain. In the ileum, agonist-induced inhibition of the contractile response to either histamine or prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) was assessed, along with effects on resting rate in the atrium and resting tone in the tracheal chain. In the latter two preparations, antagonism of isoprenaline-induced responses by ICI D7114 was also assessed. 2. Inhibitory responses were obtained in the ileum to ICI D7114, isoprenaline, BRL37344, and noradrenaline. The responses to ICI D7114, isoprenaline and BRL37344 were resistant to blockade with propranolol (5 microM), naloxone (1 microM), methysergide (0.1 microM), cimetidine, indomethacin and 8-phenyltheophylline (all 10 microM). These responses to isoprenaline, in the presence of propranolol (5 microM), were competitively antagonized by alprenolol (1-100 microM) with a pA2 value of 6.44. The responses to ICI D7114 and BRL37344 were antagonized by single concentrations of alprenolol (1 microM) with apparent pKB values of 6.53 and 6.57 respectively. These data indicate an effect of ICI D7114 at the atypical beta-adrenoceptor in the guinea-pig ileum. 3. The order and relative potency of agonists at the atypical beta-adrenoceptor was BRL37344 (4) < isoprenaline (1) = ICI D7114 (1.1) > noradrenaline (0.5). 4. ICI D7114 (1 nM - 10 microM) caused no significant change in the rate of beating or the resting tone of the guinea-pig right atrium or tracheal chain respectively. It did, however, cause selective blockade of the responses to isoprenaline in these tissues (apparent pKB values 7.63 and 5.85 in atrium and tracheal chain respectively). Responses to histamine (atrium) and aminophylline (tracheal chain) were not significantly affected by 10 microM ICI D7114.5. These results demonstrate that ICI D7114 possesses selective agonist activity at atypical beta-adrenoceptors in the guinea-pig ileum and its use as a tool may help to establish a role for the atypical beta-adrenoceptor in the control of gastrointestinal motility.

Characterization of propranolol‐resistant (−)‐[125I]‐cyanopindolol binding sites in rat soleus muscle

1. The characteristics of a propranolol-resistant (-)-[125I]-cyanopindolol (CYP) binding site in rat soleus muscle were determined. 2. Saturation studies performed on homogenates of rat soleus muscle showed two phases of (-)-[125I]-CYP binding, a high affinity site (KD1 30.5 +/- 16.3 pM, Bmax 9.4 +/- 1.38 fmol mg-1 protein) and a lower affinity site (KD2 522.5 +/- 29.1 pM, Bmax 62.19 +/- 11.76 fmol mg-1 protein, n = 4). 3. In rat soleus muscle homogenates labelled with (-)-[125I]-CYP (500 pM), (-)-propranolol competition curves were biphasic with pKD values of 8.30 +/- 0.19, and 5.33 +/- 0.08, n = 7. 4. Competition between (-)-[125I]-CYP (500 pM) and (+/-)-tertatolol, (+/-)-nadolol, (+/-)-alprenolol, (+/-)-CYP, and (-) and (+)-pindolol showed that these compounds competed for binding at the propranolol-resistant site with affinities lower than those displayed at typical beta-adrenoceptors. The atypical beta-adrenoceptor agonists BRL 37344, SR58611A and ICI D7114 and the partial agonist (+/-)-CGP 12177 also competed for (-)-[125I]-CYP binding. 5. Stereoselectivity was demonstrated for the stereoisomers of alprenolol and tertalolol. The (-)-isomers of alprenolol and tertalolol had higher affinity than their corresponding (+)-isomers (3.1 and 2.6 fold respectively). These low stereoselectivity values are a characteristic of atypical beta-adrenoceptors. 6. The beta-adrenoceptor agonists, (-)-adrenaline, (-)-isoprenaline and (-)-noradrenaline, all showed lower affinity than the atypical beta-adrenoceptor agonists and competition curves appeared biphasic in nature. 7. These results confirm the presence of a propranolol-resistant (- )-[125I]-CYP binding site in rat soleus muscle. The affinities of the tested compounds at the propranolol-resistant (- )-[125I]-CYP binding site show similarities to their affinities at 'atypical' beta-adrenoceptors in adipocytes and gastrointestinal tissues and at the cloned beta 3-adrenoceptor.

The effects of thermogenic agents on hindlimb oxygen consumption in the dog: ICI D7114 and noradrenaline.

The thermogenic action of beta-adrenoceptor agonists may be due, in part, to increased metabolism in skeletal muscle. Previous results suggest that vasoconstriction is also necessary, and that the effect can be blocked by vasodilators. Both noradrenaline and the beta-3 agonist, ICI D7114, were studied using two dog hindlimb protocols. During constant perfusion conditions, ICI D7114 caused a significant increase in hindlimb oxygen consumption although it is a vasodilator. Noradrenaline resulted in a smaller rise in oxygen consumption, and produced a marked vasoconstriction. Both noradrenaline and ICI D7114 resulted in decreased oxygen consumption when the blood flow was allowed to vary in response to the drug treatment. The results suggest that changes in tissue oxygen consumption caused by beta-agonists are not related to vasomotion.

Regulation of UCP gene expression in brown adipocytes differentiated in primary culture. Effects of a new β-adrenoceptor agonist

Primary cultures of precursor cells from mouse and rat brown adipose tissue (BAT) were used to study the effect of a new β-agonist (ICI D7114) on the uncoupling protein (UCP) gene expression. ICI 215001 (the active metabolite of D7114) increased the expression of UCP and its mRNA in brown adipocytes differentiating in vitro in a dose-dependent manner. This stimulating effect was not inhibited by propranolol, a non-specific β-antagonist, but was partially reduced by bupranolol, a β 3-antagonist. No expression of UCP mRNA was ever induced by ICI 215001 in white adipocytes differentiated in vitro. It was concluded that the drug could affect the brown adipose cells through a β 3-pathway. It could clearly modulate the expression of UCP in brown adipocytes differentiated in vitro, but was not able by itself to turn on the gene.

Selective beta 3-adrenergic agonists of brown adipose tissue and thermogenesis. 2. [4-[2-[(2-Hydroxy-3-phenoxypropyl)amino]ethoxy]phenoxy]acetamides.

The ester methyl [4-[2-[(2-hydroxy-3-phenoxypropyl)amino]ethoxy]phenoxy]acetate (1) (R1 = OMe) had previously been identified as the most interesting member of a series of selective beta 3-adrenergic agonists of brown adipose tissue and thermogenesis in the rat. In vivo it acts mainly via the related acid 1 (R1 = OH). Amides have been examined to determine whether they have advantages over the ester. In particular, in the rat and dog the half-lives of amides of appropriate potency were no longer than those of the ester. The amide (S)-4-[2-[(2-hydroxy-3-phenoxypropyl)amino]ethoxy]-N-(2- methoxyethyl)phenoxyacetamide [S-27, ICI D7114] was selected as having properties consistent with a sustained-release formulation should that prove necessary. Unlike the ester it is resistant to hydrolysis in the gut lumen. Further testing of ICI D7114 has shown that in the rat, cat, and dog it stimulates the beta 3-adrenergic receptor in brown adipose tissue at doses lower than those at which it affects beta 1- and beta 2-adrenergic receptors in other tissues. Slimming effects were observed in the dog. ICI D7114 may be a selective thermogenic agent in man and may be useful in the treatment of obesity and diabetes.

Beta 3-adrenergic receptor stimulation restores message and expression of brown-fat mitochondrial uncoupling protein in adult dogs.

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) is present throughout life in rodents and plays an important role in energy balance. However, whereas BAT is clearly recognizable in the neonates of larger mammals (including dogs, cats, sheep, cattle, and humans), it is undetectable or present in only small quantities in adults of these species and is replaced by a tissue with the gross characteristics of white adipose tissue. Here we provide evidence that treatment of adult dogs with a beta 3-adrenergic receptor agonist (ICI D7114) that has thermogenic and antiobesity properties leads to the appearance of BAT at several anatomical sites. The presence of BAT was primarily demonstrated by monitoring the inner mitochondrial membrane uncoupling protein and its mRNA, which are unique to the tissue. Neither message nor protein was detected in adipose tissue samples from control dogs but both were detected in samples from dogs treated with ICI D7114. The data suggest that stimulation of beta 3-adrenergic receptors can reactivate nascent BAT (which has the appearance of white adipose tissue) by increasing expression of the gene coding for uncoupling protein or lead to the recruitment of fully differentiated BAT from preadipocyte precursor cells.

Effect of conventional (mixed β1/ β2) and novel ( β3) adrenergic agonists on thermoregulatory behavior

The effects of submaximal and maximal thermogenic doses of isoproterenol (ISO) on operant thermoregulatory responses in a cold (−8°C) environment were tested in lean (+/?) Zucker rats trained to barpress for radiant heat. Contrary to expectations, ISO rats pressed for twice as much exogenous heat as controls, but showed a smaller rise in colonic temperature. Conversely, a β 3-selective adrenergic agonist (RO40-2148) decreased the requirement for exogenous heat and produced larger rises in colonic temperature. RO40-2148 and another β 3-agonist (ICI D7114) produced similar responses in obese (fa/fa) Zucker rats, but tests with ISO were terminated because it caused profound, and lethal hypothermia. The hypothermic effects of ISO on colonic temperature were also observed in Sprague-Dawley rats at room temperature (22°C), whereas RO40-2148 produced hyperthermia. These results provide behavioral evidence for the high thermogenic selectivity of these novel adrenergic agonists and support the existence of an atypical β 3-adrenoceptor. The hypothermic effects of ISO are presumed to be due to actions on β 1- and/or β 2-adrenoceptors.

ICI D7114 a novel selective β‐adrenoceptor agonist selectively stimulates brown fat and increases whole‐body oxygen consumption

1. ICI D7114 is a novel, beta-adrenoceptor agonist which stimulates whole body oxygen consumption in conscious rats, cats and dogs and brown adipose tissue (BAT) activity in conscious rats. Treatment of rats with ICI D7114 stimulated oxygen consumption (ED50, 0.04 mg kg-1, p.o.) and BAT mitochondrial guanosine diphosphate (GDP)-binding (ED50, 0.15 mg kg-1, p.o.) with no chronotropic effects on the heart at these doses. 2. Reference beta-adrenoceptor agonists, isoprenaline and clenbuterol, also stimulated oxygen consumption and BAT activity but were less selective because they also produced effects on heart rate at these doses. 3. Treatment of conscious rats with ICI D7114 did not attenuate the chronotropic effects on the heart of a subsequent isoprenaline challenge. 4. Administration of ICI D7114 or of its acid metabolite had no effect in a cat soleus muscle model of tremor or on blood potassium levels in the conscious dog, indicating lack of effects at beta 2-adrenoceptors. 5. The results indicate that ICI D7114 may have activity at atypical beta-adrenoceptors in brown adipose tissue leading to increased whole body oxygen consumption.