Inhibition of lipolysis and cyclic AMP accumulation by adenosine analogues in hamster epididymal adipocytes exposed to cholera toxin.

The effects of adenosine, N6-phenylisopropyl adenosine and 2',5'-dideoxyadenosine on lipolysis and cyclic AMP accumulation, in hamster adipocytes treated with cholera toxin, were studied. Cholera toxin caused an increase in lipolysis and cyclic AMP accumulation that was dependent upon the concentration of toxin and the length of time cells were exposed to the toxin. When N6-phenylisopropyl adenosine or 2',5'-dideoxyadenosine were present, the lipolytic and cyclic AMP responses to cholera toxin were inhibited. The adenosine analogues were equally effective inhibitors of lipolysis and cyclic AMP accumulation, when they were added 1 or 2 h after exposure to the toxin. Enzymatic removal of endogenously produced adenosine with adenosine deaminase potentiated both the lipolytic and cyclic AMP responses to cholera toxin. In addition, the inhibitory effects of N6-phenylisopropyl adenosine, 2'5'-dideoxyadenosine and clonidine on lipolysis and cyclic AMP were enhanced consequent to enzymatic removal of adenosine. These data show responses of intact fat cells to N6-phenylisopropyl adenosine, 2',5'-dideoxyadenosine or removal of endogenous adenosine and provide evidence for an adenosine sensitivity of fat cells exposed to cholera toxin.