Phosphodiesterase activity in human subcutaneous adipose tissue in insulin- and noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

The influence of diabetes mellitus on phosphodiesterase (PDE) activity in human sc adipose tissue was investigated in 8 patients with insulin-dependent (IDDM) and 9 with noninsulin-dependent (NIDDM) diabetes mellitus. The results were compared with data from 10 healthy normal weight subjects. The apparent maximal PDE activity (Vmax) of the low Km form of PDE was 60% lower (P less than 0.01) in untreated IDDM and NIDDM than in the control state. After treatment of IDDM and NIDDM, the Vmax of the low Km PDE was normalized. In untreated IDDM and NIDDM, the Vmax of the low Km PDE was correlated to the cAMP level (r = 0.8). This correlation was not observed after antidiabetic treatment or in the control state. The apparent Vmax values of the high Km form of PDE were similar in the diabetic states and in control subjects. The results suggest that the low Km PDE is inhibited in untreated IDDM and NIDDM. In these conditions, PDE may be one factor responsible for regulation of the cAMP level.