Dietary (n-6) polyunsaturated fatty acids affect beta-adrenergic receptor binding and adenylate cyclase activity in...

The effect of dietary (n-6) polyunsaturated fatty acids (sunflower oil) on pig adipocyte beta-adrenoreceptor and adenylate cyclase activity was examined. Two adipose sites (subcutaneous and perirenal) were compared. The existence of two affinity classes for beta-adrenoreceptors was evidenced. Adenylate cyclase stimulation by isoproterenol was higher in the perirenal fat than in the subcutaneous fat, in parallel to a higher beta-adrenoreceptor density. When sunflower oil was included in the diet, the adenylate cyclase response to beta-agonists was greater, particularly in perirenal fat, as was the affinity of the adrenoreceptors in their high affinity state. However, the number of beta-adrenoreceptors was lower, suggesting that these are spare receptors. Adenylate cyclase stimulation by 5'-guanylylimidophosphate also revealed site- and diet-specific variations indicating alterations at the Gs-protein level. The adenylate cyclase catalytic activity (reflected by the forskolin-stimulated response) in the control group was higher in the subcutaneous fat than in the perirenal fat. In the sunflower oil-fed pigs, the catalytic activity was greater in the perirenal fat relative to controls, leading to similar values in both adipose tissues of sunflower oil-fed pigs. This indicates that the cyclase catalytic subunit activity also depends on the anatomical site of the fat deposit and is influenced by the diet as well. Correlation between these changes in the adenylate cyclase system are discussed in relationship with alterations in the plasma membrane structure.