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Horm Metab Res 1974; 6(6): 457-463
DOI: 10.1055/s-0028-1093803
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© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Simulation and Enhancement of the Adipose Tissue Insulin Response by Procaine Hydrochloride: Evidence for a Role of Calcium in Insulin Action

H.  Hope-Gill , N.  Vydelingum , A. H. Kissebah , B. R. Tulloch , T. R. Fraser
  • Endocrine Unit, Royal Postgraduate Medical School, Hammersmith Hospital, London, W12 OHS, England and Department of Medicine, Sunnybrook Medical Centre, University of Toronto Medical School, Toronto, Canada
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Publication History

Publication Date:
07 January 2009 (online)

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Abstract

The effects of procaine hydrochloride (0.1 mM and 1.0 mM) on the metabolism of rat adipose tissue shreds in vitro have been compared with those of insulin.

Procaine had effects similar to those of insulin: increasing glucose uptake from the medium, the incorporation into glycogen of either glucose or fructose and the incorporation into fatty acid of glucose, fructose or pyruvate. The CO2-1/CO2-6 ratio and pentose shunt activity were also increased.

Procaine augmented the effect of 1 mU/ml of insulin on these indices of adipose tissue metabolism; less augmentation occurred with insulin 10 mU/ml.

Measurement of tissue cyclic AMP levels in the presence and absence of theophylline revealed that procaine produced no significant decrease in either basal or adrenaline-stimulated cyclic AMP levels.

Since procaine does not appear to reduce tissue cyclic AMP concentrations but does affect the cellular handling of calcium, it is suggested that some of the actions of insulin may be mediated by alteration of the intracellular calcium distribution.

Key words

Procaine HCl - Insulin - Glucose - Fructose - Pyruvate - Glycogen - Glycogen Synthetase - Fatty Acid - Pyruvate Dehydrogenase - Pentose Shunt - Carbon Dioxide - Cyclic AMP

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