Hormonal control of gluconeogenesis in tubule fragments from renal cortex of fed rats. Effects of alpha-adrenergic stimuli, glucagon, theophylline and papaverine.

1. In incubated tubule fragments from renal cortex of fed rats gluconeogenesis from pyruvate was stimulated by adrenaline (1mum optimum) and by the selective alpha-adrenergic agonists oxymetazoline and amidephrine. The selective beta-agonists isoproterenol and salbutamol were ineffective at concentrations up to 10mum. 2. Stimulation of gluconeogenesis by 1mum-adrenaline was almost completely blocked by 10mum-phentolamine (alpha-antagonist), partially blocked by 10mum-phenoxybenzamine (alpha-antagonist) and unaffected by 10mum-propranolol (beta-antagonist). 3. Adrenaline stimulation of gluconeogenesis was rapid and was sustained for at least 1h. 4. Oxymetazoline (alpha-agonist) was extremely potent in stimulation of gluconeogenesis. This compound stimulated glucose production from pyruvate, lactate and glutamate, but not from succinate or glycerol. 5. In the absence of Ca(2+) oxymetazoline was ineffective, whereas some stimulatory effect of adrenaline on gluconeogenesis was still observed. 6. Glucagon had no effect on gluconeogenesis from pyruvate in the presence of 1.27mm-Ca(2+) and inhibited the process in the presence of 0.25mm-Ca(2+). Parathyrin (parathyroid hormone) stimulated gluconeogenesis at 1.27mm-Ca(2+). 7. In short incubations of tubule fragments glucagon, papaverine and adrenaline significantly increased 3':5'-cyclic AMP. Adrenaline also slightly decreased 3':5'-cyclic GMP. Oxymetazoline had no effect on the amount of either cyclic nucleotide. 8. At all concentrations tested, theophylline and papaverine decreased gluconeogenesis from pyruvate. 9. It is concluded that renal gluconeogenesis may be increased by alpha- but not beta-adrenergic stimuli and that this is probably independent of changes in 3':5'-cyclic AMP or 3':5'-cyclic GMP. An involvement of Ca(2+) in the action of oxymetazoline appears likely, but this is less certain with adrenaline.