Metabolic responses to BRL37344 and clenbuterol in soleus muscle and C2C12 cells via different atypical pharmacologies and beta2-adrenoceptor mechanisms.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Picomolar concentrations of the beta3-adrenoceptor agonist BRL37344 stimulate 2-deoxyglucose uptake in soleus muscle via undefined receptors. Higher concentrations alter uptake, apparently via beta2-adrenoceptors. Effects of BRL37344 and beta2-adrenoceptor agonists are compared.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

Mouse soleus muscles were incubated with 2-deoxy[1-(14)C]-glucose, [1-(14)C]-palmitate or [2-(14)C]-pyruvate, and BRL37344, beta2-adrenoceptor agonists and selective beta-adrenoceptor antagonists. Formation of 2-deoxy[1-(14)C]-glucose-6-phosphate or (14)CO2 was measured. 2-Deoxy[1-(14)C]-glucose uptake and beta-adrenoceptor mRNA were measured in C2C12 cells.

KEY RESULTS

10 pM BRL37344, 10 pM clenbuterol and 100 pM salbutamol stimulated 2-deoxyglucose uptake in soleus muscle by 33-54%. The effect of BRL37344 was prevented by 1 microM atenolol but not by 300 nM CGP20712A or IC3118551, or 1 microM SR59230A; that of clenbuterol was prevented by ICI118551 but not atenolol. 10 nM BRL37344 stimulated 2-deoxyglucose uptake, whereas 100 nM clenbuterol and salbutamol inhibited uptake. These effects were blocked by ICI118551. Similar results were obtained in C2C12 cells, in which only beta2-adrenoceptor mRNA could be detected by RT-PCR. 10 nM BRL37344 and 10 pM clenbuterol stimulated muscle palmitate oxidation. In the presence of palmitate, BRL37344 no longer stimulated 2-deoxyglucose uptake and the effect of clenbuterol was not significant.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

Stimulation of glucose uptake by 10 pM BRL37344 and clenbuterol involves different atypical pharmacologies. Nanomolar concentrations of BRL37344 and clenbuterol, probably acting via beta2-adrenoceptors, have opposite effects on glucose uptake. The agonists preferentially stimulate fat rather than carbohydrate oxidation, but stimulation of endogenous fat oxidation cannot explain why 100 nM clenbuterol inhibited 2-deoxyglucose uptake.