Reduced binding and antilipolytic effect of prostaglandin E2 in adipocytes from patients with hyperthyroidism

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of thyroid hormones on prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) binding and action in human adipocytes. The study consisted of 12 patients with hyperthyroidism and 20 normal subjects. In adipocytes from hyperthyroid patients, there was a 32% decrease in [3H]PGE2-binding sites (P less than 0.01). This reduced binding was accompanied by a 46% reduction in the relative antilipolytic effect of PGE2 in adipocytes from patients with hyperthyroidism. These changes might, then, account for some of the enhanced lipolysis that occurs in hyperthyroid patients. Thyroid hormones significantly increased the lipolytic effect of isoproterenol (P less than 0.01). However, the lipolytic effect of theophylline plus adenosine deaminase and basal lipolysis also were increased in adipocytes from hyperthyroid subjects. The latter findings indicate that thyroid hormones induce a state of increased activation of lipolysis under both basal and stimulated conditions. It is concluded that thyroid hormones reduce the binding and action of PGE2 in human adipocytes, possibly via a cAMP dependent mechanism. These alterations will contribute to accelerated lipid metabolism in the hyperthyroid state.