Estimation of cyclic AMP turnover in normal and methylprednisolone-treated dogs: effect of catecholamines

The turnover rate of plasma cAMP was measured in unanesthetized normal and methylprednisolone (MP)-treated dogs with [8-3H]cAMP. Determination of specific activity was based on saturation of the specific binding protein, thus bypassing the need to know the plasma level of cAMP. In normal dogs the infusion of epinephrine increased plasma glucose by 33% and both the plasma level and rate of appearance (Ra) of cAMP 2.5-fold. Treatment with MP decreased the concentration as well as the turnover rate of cAMP by about 50%. It greatly potentiated not only the hyperglycemic effect (4-fold) of epinephrine but also the rise of plasma cAMP (8.5-fold) and that of Ra (6.8-fold). Norepinephrine infusion increased cAMP only by 50%. This effect was not potentiated by MP treatment and not altered by Na nicotinate. There was a linear correlation between plasma cAMP concentration and the rate of disappearance (Rd) of cAMP. It is concluded that: a) the increase of hepatic glycogenolysis is accompanied by a rise of cAMP output, whereas that of lipolysis is not; b) glucocorticoid treatment affects cAMP turnover; and c) the plasma level of cAMP is controlled by Ra, whereas Rd is the result of the mass-action effect of the concentration.