Comparison of the effects of insulin and insulin-like agents on different aspects of adipocyte metabolism.

The effect of insulin, spermine, cysteine, and diamide on glucose transport, glucose oxidation, and lipolysis were compared using isolated rat adipocytes. Each agent exerted insulin-like effects on glucose transport and glucose oxidation, whereas spermine and cysteine, but not diamide, inhibited lipolysis. Furthermore, the relative potencies of these agents on the various insulin responsive processes were markedly different. Thus, although these agents have much in common with insulin, the differences in relative potencies suggest that at least some of the insulin-like properties of these compounds may not be exerted through the same mechanisms as insulin.