Ca2+ and lipolysis in adipocytes from exercise-trained rats

The effects of Ca2+ on lipolysis and protein kinase activity in adipocytes from exercise-trained rats were investigated. Chronic exercise significantly increased lipolytic responses to norepinephrine and dibutyryl adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP). The inhibitory effects of N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthalene sulfonamide (W-7), a calumodulin inhibitor, on norepinephrine- and dibutyryl cAMP-stimulated lipolysis were significantly greater in trained than in sedentary rats. Training did not alter cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity. However, the inhibitory effect of W-7 on cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity was much greater in trained than in sedentary rats. The basal intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) was significantly higher in trained than in sedentary rats. The rapid and transient increases in [Ca2+]i due to adrenocorticotropic hormone and phenylephrine from basal levels were significantly lower in trained than in sedentary rats. However, the higher basal [Ca2+]i level in trained rats led to increases in sustained [Ca2+]i levels after stimulation. We concluded that in trained rats the regulation of protein kinase activity by cAMP depends to a greater degree on Ca(2+)-calmodulin complex than it does in sedentary rats and that training alters adipocyte intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis, including [Ca2+]i responsiveness to hormones.