Contribution of α-Adrenergic and β-Adrenergic Stimulation to Ischemia-Induced Glucose Transporter (GLUT) 4 and GLUT1 Translocation in the Isolated Perfused Rat Heart

Abstract —The intracellular signaling mechanism of the ischemia-stimulated glucose transporter (GLUT) translocation in the heart is not yet characterized. It has been suggested that catecholamines released during ischemia may be involved in this pathway. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the contribution of α-adrenoceptors and β-adrenoceptors to ischemia-mediated GLUT4 and GLUT1 translocation in the isolated, Langendorff-perfused rat heart. Additionally, GLUT translocation was studied in response to catecholamine stimulation with phenylephrine (Phy) and isoproterenol (Iso). The results were compared with myocardial uptake of glucose analogue [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG). Subcellular analysis of GLUT4 and GLUT1 protein on plasma membrane vesicles (PM) and intracellular membrane vesicles (IM) using membrane preparation and immunoblotting revealed that α- and β-receptor agonists stimulated GLUT4 translocation from IM to PM (2.5-fold for Phy and 2.1-fold for Iso, P <0.05 versus control), which was completely inhibited by phentolamine (Phe) and propranolol (Pro), respectively. Plasmalemmal GLUT1 moderately rose after Iso exposure, and this was prevented by Pro. In contrast, ischemia-stimulated GLUT4 translocation (2.2-fold, P <0.05 versus control) was only inhibited by α-adrenergic antagonist Phe but not by β-adrenergic antagonist Pro. Similarly, Phe but not Pro inhibited ischemia-stimulated GLUT1 translocation. GLUT data were confirmed by FDG uptake monitored using bismuth germanate detectors. The catecholamine-stimulated FDG uptake (6.9-fold for Phy and 8.9-fold for Iso) was significantly inhibited by Phe and Pro; however, only Phe but not Pro significantly reduced the ischemia-induced 2.5-fold increase in FDG uptake ( P <0.05 versus ischemia). This study suggests that α-adrenoceptor stimulation may play a role in the ischemia-mediated increase in glucose transporter trafficking leading to the stimulation of FDG uptake in the isolated, perfused rat heart, whereas β-adrenergic activation does not participate in this signaling pathway.