Effect of adrenalectomy and glucocorticoid treatment on the levels of an insulin-sensitive glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol in isolated rat hepatocytes.

Insulin resistance caused by dexamethasone administration to rats was accompanied by a marked decrease in the hepatocyte content of an insulin-sensitive glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol, as well as by a blockade of its hydrolysis in response to this hormone. In contrast, bilateral adrenalectomy provoked a significant increase of the cellular glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol levels. Under all the assayed metabolic conditions, a close direct correlation was established between the basal content of this compound and the number of insulin receptors present in the isolated hepatocytes.