Amount of G-protein alpha-subunit in rat white adipocytes: lack of difference between subcutaneous and visceral fat

It has been the purpose of this study to examine possible differences in the amount of stimulatory (Gs) and inhibitory (Gi) G-protein alpha-subunits (measured with a quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in fat cell membrane preparation) between subcutaneous and intra-abdominal regions in rats. The lipolytic response to isoproterenol and the number of beta-adrenergic binding sites were also examined. These parameters were all evaluated simultaneously in subcutaneous (inguinal), epididymal and perirenal fat samples collected from six male Sprague-Dawley rats. The membrane contents of the Gs and Gi alpha-subunits were similar in the three depots. Moreover, no difference was found among the different regions with regard to isoproterenol-stimulated glycerol release and beta-adrenoceptor number, expressed per cell number. In conclusion, the present study shows for the first time in rats that the abundance of inhibitory and stimulatory G-protein alpha-subunits is similar in subcutaneous and in visceral adipocytes. Moreover, the number of beta-adrenoceptors and the lipolytic response to isoproterenol do not show significant variations with the anatomical site. As the present results are apparently in contrast with those obtained previously in human adipocytes, there is a possibility that the different results observed in rat and in human fat cells could be explained by species differences.