Helmut Kammermeier

Insulin-induced Recruitment of Glucose Transporter 4 (GLUT4) and GLUT1 in Isolated Rat Cardiac Myocytes EVIDENCE OF THE EXISTENCE OF DIFFERENT INTRACELLULAR GLUT4 VESICLE POPULATIONS

Using isolated rat cardiomyocytes we have examined: 1) the effect of insulin on the cellular distribution of glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) and GLUT1, 2) the total amount of these transporters, and 3) the co-localization of GLUT4, GLUT1, and secretory carrier membrane proteins (SCAMPs) in intracellular membranes. Insulin induced 5.7- and 2.7-fold increases in GLUT4 and GLUT1 at the cell surface, respectively, as determined by the nonpermeant photoaffinity label [3H]2-N-[4(1-azi-2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)benzoyl]-1,3-bis-(D-mannos-4-yloxy)propyl-2-amine. The total amount of GLUT1, as determined by quantitative Western blot analysis of cell homogenates, was found to represent a substantial fraction (∼30%) of the total glucose transporter content. Intracellular GLUT4-containing vesicles were immunoisolated from low density microsomes by using monoclonal anti-GLUT4 (1F8) or anti-SCAMP antibodies (3F8) coupled to either agarose or acrylamide. With these different immunoisolation conditions two GLUT4 membrane pools were found in nonstimulated cells: one pool with a high proportion of GLUT4 and a low content in GLUT1 and SCAMP 39 (pool 1) and a second GLUT4 pool with a high content of GLUT1 and SCAMP 39 (pool 2). The existence of pool 1 was confirmed by immunotitration of intracellular GLUT4 membranes with 1F8-acrylamide. Acute insulin treatment caused the depletion of GLUT4 in both pools and of GLUT1 and SCAMP 39 in pool 2. In conclusion: 1) GLUT4 is the major glucose transporter to be recruited to the surface of cardiomyocytes in response to insulin; 2) these cells express a high level of GLUT1; and 3) intracellular GLUT4-containing vesicles consist of at least two populations, which is compatible with recently proposed models of GLUT4 trafficking in adipocytes.

Highly insulin-responsive isolated rat heart muscle cells yielded by a modified isolation method

Freshly isolated adipocytes or cardiac myocytes appear to be subject to unspecific stimulation during isolation and subsequent handling, e.g. with respect to glucose transport. We have developed a modified procedure that yields rat cardiomyocytes with a very low basal, i.e. non stimulated hexose uptake rate (ca. 3 pmol * s-1 * mg protein-1 at 1 mM sugar), as compared to data reported by others. This low value correlates with the reported oxygen consumption of non-beating, isolated rat hearts, when these are perfused with glucose as the only substrate. The basal rate of glucose uptake in our quiescent cardiomyocytes is slightly lower than the value measured by others in beating rat hearts in vivo. Insulin (10 nM) stimulates 2-deoxy-D-glucose uptake 8- to 20-fold and 3-O-methyl-D-glucose uptake 14- to 20-fold, as compared to control. This insulin effect is markedly larger than that usually observed in isolated cardiomyocytes, but it is similar in magnitude to the stimulation of glucose transport reported for isolated, perfused rat hearts. In these cells, new stimulatory effects on the glucose transport, e.g. that of sulfhydryl reagents like phenylarsine oxide, become apparent. We conclude that the cardiomyocytes obtained by this modified method exhibit a basal glucose transport rate that is close to physiological values. These cells represent a new highly responsive model to detect and to investigate the effects of glucose transport stimulators (insulin, contraction etc.).

Long-chain fatty acid-binding to albumin: re-evaluation with directly measured concentrations

In studies on uptake of fatty acids (FA) into organs, the unbound (or free) fatty acid fraction is commonly calculated from the concentration bound to albumin and from published binding constants. However, there is some dispute on the methods used for determining those binding constants. We developed a method allowing direct measurement of unbound FA by extending the previous studies of Svenson et al. [1] and Reed et al. [2]. Albumin was coupled to a solid phase (Sepharose 4B), loaded with FA and equilibrated with an aqueous solution. Laurate, palmitate and oleate concentrations in the aqueous phase were determined at different molar ratios of FA to albumin (r) and at different temperatures. FA albumin-binding constants (Ki) increase with chain length and decrease with temperature, in accordance with data obtained by others. However, the unbound concentrations measured are markedly lower than those obtained from binding constants, and the resulting Ki values markedly higher. This difference is presumed to result from (1) our direct measurement of unbound FA and (2) utilizing different more physiological conditions. Recalculating kinetic parameters from published FA uptake data, we found considerably different Km and Vmax values compared to the original data. Thus, the FA-binding characteristics measured in this study may influence the interpretation of FA uptake substantially.

Sarcolemmal fatty acid transfer in isolated cardiomyocytes governed by albumin/membrane-lipid partition

The mechanism of transfer of long chain fatty acids across the myocardial sarcolemmal membrane was investigated in isolated, calcium-resistant, rat cardiomyocytes. The initial rate of 14C-palmitate uptake was determined at constant and increasing palmitate/albumin ratios. The latter condition led to a saturable dependence of uptake rate on palmitate concentration. At a constant palmitate/albumin ratio however, there was an almost constant rate of uptake even though the absolute concentration of palmitate increased. The enhanced metabolic rate resulting from electrically induced contractions of the myocytes decreased the apparent Km of uptake from 62 to 23 microM. Thirty seconds after administration, there was no further increase in the [14C]palmitate content of the myocytes. Moreover, from experiments using ghost membrane vesicles the concentration of palmitate in membranes increased almost linearly with increasing palmitate/albumin ratios. This concentration remained virtually constant if vesicles were pre-treated with diamide. Our results do not support the concept of an albumin receptor-mediated uptake but rather suggest that fatty acids are incorporated into cardiomyocytes by a simple diffusion process which is not rate-limiting. The rate of uptake is influenced both by the metabolic rate and by the concentration of fatty acids in the membranes. The rate-limiting step of fatty acid uptake is probably either the formation of acyl-CoA catalyzed by the membrane associated acyl-CoA synthetase, or the transfer of fatty acid carnitine esters across the mitochondrial matrix membrane.

Phenylarsine oxide and hydrogen peroxide stimulate glucose transport via different pathways in isolated cardiac myocytes

The aim of this study was to investigate the stimulating effects of sulfhydryl reagents on glucose transport in isolated rat heart muscle cells and to compare them with the action of insulin. Low concentrations of the sulfhydryl oxidants hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and diamide (5-100 microM), but also of phenylarsine oxide (PAO) (0.5-3 microM), that is known to specifically react with vicinal SH-groups, stimulated the rate of 2-deoxy-D-glucose uptake by a factor of 4 to 8 in these cells, while higher concentrations were inhibitory. The stimulating effects of H2O2 or diamide, and, to a significantly lesser extent, those of PAO or insulin, were depressed in cells pretreated with the sulfhydryl-alkylating agent N-ethylmaleimide (56-100 microM). H2O2 raised the Vmax and lowered the Km of 3-O-methyl-D-glucose uptake, while PAO or insulin solely increased Vmax. The increase in glucose transport caused by H2O2 was antagonized by the beta-adrenergic agonist isoprenaline (1 microM) or by a membrane-permeant cyclic AMP analog, whereas the effects of PAO or insulin were not altered. The action of H2O2 was additive with the stimulation induced by the protein phosphatase inhibitors okadaic acid (1 microM) or vanadate (6 mM), whereas the responses to PAO or insulin were reduced in the presence of these agents. Finally, H2O2 and PAO, but not insulin, acted additively with the protein kinase C ligand phorbol myristate acetate (0.8 microM) and with phospholipase C (0.03 units/ml). We conclude that, in cardiac myocytes, H2O2, on the one hand, and PAO (and possibly insulin), on the other hand, stimulate glucose transport via at least two distinct, SH-dependent pathways. These pathways, in turn, differ from a protein kinase C- and from a phospholipase C-mediated mechanism.

Myocardial performance and free energy of ATP-hydrolysis in isolated rat hearts during graded hypoxia, reoxygenation and high Ke+-perfusion

The effects of graded hypoxia, graded reoxygenation after anoxic perfusion and of different extracellular K+-concentrations on cardiac energy metabolism and performance were studied in isolated, perfused, electrically paced rat hearts. Graded hypoxia was induced by different oxygen partial pressure (PO2: 736 to 43 mmHg, nine intermediate steps; O2 supply: (AVD*CF): 300 to 21 microliters/g*min) in perfusate for 3 min, thus leading to different levels of relative mechanical steady state. Evaluated free energy change of ATP-hydrolysis (dG/d zeta) decreased largely in parallel with peak systolic pressure (Psyst) and systolic dP/dtmax, whereas diastolic dP/dtmin declined already to lowest values with moderate hypoxia. For regular beats and beats potentiated by paired stimulation the same relationships were found. Complete reoxygenation of hearts perfused anoxically beforehand (10 or 30 min, PO2 less than 6 mmHg), restored Psyst and dG/d zeta completely. Graded reoxygenation from different levels of hypoxia resulted in restitution of dG/d zeta and Psyst to the same levels as in graded hypoxia. The inotropic effect of paired stimulation was moderately reduced. Cytosolic Pi-levels remained increased during partial reoxygenation and exhibited no distinct relationship with mechanical performance. High extracellular K+ (13.5 mM) resulted in increased Psyst and elevated dG/d zeta-levels. Cardiac failure during graded hypoxia and high K+ occurred at comparatively high dG/d zeta levels. Reoxygenation with high K+, led to recovery of dG/d zeta levels but not of Psyst values. According to the results obtained in early hypoxic failure free energy dependence of Na+/K+-ATPase is of minor relevance whereas free energy dependence of sarcoplasmic Ca2+ regulating processes appears to be important.

The effect of anoxia on cardiomyocyte glucose transport does not involve an adenosine release or a change in energy state

The action of anoxia on glucose transport was investigated in isolated resting rat cardiomyocytes. Incubation of these cells in the absence of oxygen for 30 min resulted in a 4- to 5-fold increase in glucose transport (with a lag period of 5-10 min). Up to 40 min of anoxia failed to alter the cellular concentrations of ATP, phosphocreatine, and creatine. Adenosine deaminase (1.5 U/ml), the A1-adenosine receptor antagonist 1,3-diethyl-8-phenylxanthine (1 microM), or the A2-selective antagonist 3,7-dimethyl-1-propargylxanthine (20 microM) had no effect on anoxia-dependent glucose transport. Moreover, adenosine (10-300 microM, added under normoxia) did not stimulate glucose transport. Wortmannin (1 microM) did not influence the effect of anoxia, but completely suppressed that of insulin. On the other hand, the effects of anoxia and insulin were not additive. These results indicate (i) that the effect of anoxia on cardiomyocyte glucose transport is not mediated by a change in energy metabolism, nor by an adenosine release; (ii) that it probably does not involve a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, in contrast to the effect of insulin, and (iii) that the signal chains triggered by anoxia or insulin may converge downstream of this enzyme, or, alternatively, that anoxic conditions may impair the action of the hormone.

Relation between enzyme release and irreversible cell injury of the heart under the influence of cytoskeleton modulating agents

The effects of agents modulating the cytoskeleton, taxol (microtubuli stabilizing), vinblastine (microtubuli destabilizing) and cytochalasin D (actin destabilizing) (10(-6) M each) on enzyme and ATP release as well as on irreversible cell injury were investigated in isolated perfused hypoxic and reoxygenated rat hearts. Enzyme (creatine kinase (CK)) and ATP concentration were assayed in the interstitial transudate and venous effluent. Irreversible cell injury was determined from trypan blue uptake and nuclear staining (NS) of cardiomyocytes in histologic sections. ATP release from nonneuronal cells was only detectable in the interstitial transudate and was not significantly altered by the agents. In controls total CK release (about 4% of total CK) exceeded the percentage of irreversibly injured cells by a factor of 8. Taxol and cytochalasin D abolished the hypoxia/reoxygenation induced interstitial CK release and reduced total CK release to a highly significant extent. The percentage of irreversible injured cells was even more diminished by these agents resulting in a ratio of CK/NS of 40. The effect of cytochalasin D apparently is the consequence of decreased contractile performance as shown by analogous depression by butonedione monoxine (BDM), whereas contractile activity was not altered by taxol. Vinblastine had no influence on CK release but increased the number of irreversibly injured cells significantly. In conclusion, cytoskeletal elements apparently participate in the hypoxia/reoxygenation induced process of release of cytosolic enzymes (CK) and irreversible injury in a different way and extent. Taxol exhibits a cytoprotective effect in isolated perfused rat hearts as evaluated by the extent of enzyme release and irreversible cell injury.

Regulation of systolic force and control of free energy of ATP-hydrolysis in hypoxic hearts

In isolated isometrically working rat hearts during graded, constant pressure hypoxic saline perfusion (PO2 140-700 mmHg) heart rate was changed experimentally between 80 and 400/min. The following parameters were recorded or estimated: peak systolic pressure, dP/dtmax, dP/tmin, oxygen consumption (VO2), venous PO2, ATP, ADP, phosphocreatine, creatine and inorganic P. Free energy of ATP hydrolysis (dG/d xi) was calculated from cytosolic concentration using CK-equilibrium equation. Two predominant responses of the hearts to hypoxia were observed, pronounced negative force frequency relationship; maintained energetic state (Free energy, dG/d xi) at the respective level of hypoxia if contractile force and beating rate were varied by a factor of 4-5. The enhanced force frequency relationship with a maintained free energy level is interpreted in terms of downregulation of EC-coupling (including duration of action potential) which comprises a possible cardioprotective effect.

Halothane, But Not Isoflurane, Impairs the β-adrenergic Responsiveness in Rat Myocardium

Background The aim of this study was to identify the mechanisms by which halothane and isoflurane change the myocardial beta‐adrenergic signal transduction pathway. Methods The authors investigated the influence of volatile anesthetics on the isometric force of contraction of rat papillary muscles. Concentration‐response curves for isoproterenol and epinephrine were studied under control conditions and in the presence of halothane or isoflurane. In radioligand receptor‐binding studies, the beta‐adrenoceptor affinities for isoproterenol and epinephrine were investigated with and without guanosine triphosphate. In addition, the isoproterenol‐induced cyclic adenosine monophosphate accumulations in viable cardiomyocytes in the absence and in the presence of halothane were determined by radioimmunoassays. Results The half‐maximal positive inotropic effect of isoproterenol was reached at a half‐maximal effective concentration (EC (50) value) of 68 nM (33–141 nM; n = 10). A minimum alveolar concentration of 1.3 halothane reduced the positive inotropic potency of isoproterenol (EC50 = 158 nM [118–214 nM; n = 10; P < 0.01 vs. control]), whereas isoflurane did not changed it. This observation held true when the force of contraction was stimulated with epinephrine. Halothane (1.3 minimum alveolar concentration) depressed beta‐adrenoceptor high‐affinity binding and beta‐adrenoceptor agonist affinity in radioligand binding assays, an effect not seen with isoflurane. Halothane shifted the intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate response curve of isoproterenol to the right. Conclusion Halothane, but not isoflurane, impairs the beta‐adrenergic responsiveness in rat myocardium by reducing the agonist affinity of the beta‐adrenoceptors.