'Insulin-like' effects of lithium ion on isolated rat adipocytes. I. Stimulation of glycogenesis beyond glucose transport.

Both insulin and lithium ion stimulated cytochalasin B-sensitive glucose transport in isolated rat adipocytes. As a result of enhanced glucose transport, the incorporation of [14C]glucose into CO2, glycogen and lipid were increased by both agents. However, the action of these two agents was distinguished. Cytochalasin B decreased insulin-stimulated glucose oxidation, glycogenesis and lipogenesis. In contrast, lithium-stimulated glycogenesis was decreased but lithium-stimulated glucose oxidation and lipogenesis were completely blocked. These results indicate that lithium ion in rat adipocytes has a specific insulin-like effect on glycogenesis without affecting glucose oxidation and lipogenesis.