Antagonistic effects of prostaglandin E1 and nicotinic acid on the human fat cell adenylate cyclase.

Both prostaglandin E1 and nicotinic acid markedly reduce 3',5'-cyclic AMP-accumulation and lipolysis in adipose tissue. These effects were assumed to be mediated via inhibition of the fat cell adenylate cyclase. Therefore, the effects of prostaglandin E1 and nicotinic acid on the human fat cell adenylate cyclase were compared. Prostaglandin E1 caused a dose-dependent stimulation of the enzyme, whereas nicotinic acid was found to act as an unspecific inhibitor depressing all expressions of enzyme activity including prostaglandin E1-stimulated rates of 3',5'-cyclic AMP formation. It is concluded that the common metabolic effects of nicotinic acid and prostaglandin E1 are unlikely to be mediated via the membrane-bound adenylate cyclase in human adipose tissue.