Effect of hypothermia on the insulin--receptor interaction in liver plasma membranes

The aim of the study was to estimate the effect of hypothermia on (125J)-iodoinsulin binding to liver plasma membranes. Rat liver membranes were prepared from control, normothermic rats (Tr = 35.6 +/- 0.3 degrees C) and hypothermic rats (Tr = 26.5 +/- 0.9 degrees C) and purified according to Havrankowa. In addition, serum insulin and glucagon levels by means of RIA and glucose concentration using the glucose oxidase method were measured. Scatchard analysis was used to determine the kinetic parameters of the hormone receptor interaction. The data showed no significant differences in the affinity of the binding sites but indicated a decrease in receptor concentrations in liver plasma membranes from hypothermic rats. In contrast to changes in serum insulin level which was decreased by about 50% in hypothermic rats blood glucose concentrations did not significantly differ between the hypothermic and normothermic ones. Our results show that in hypothermic rats the hormonal adaptation operates on the level of the number of liver receptors whereas the insulin receptor affinity remains unaffected.