Fiber type specific effects of clenbuterol and exercise training on insulin resistant muscle. Torgan, C. E., G. J. Etgen, Jr, H. Y. Kang, and J. L. Ivy. Exercise Physiology and Metabolism Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology, The University of Texas, Austin, TX 78712
APStracts 2:0119A, 1995.
The interrelationships among glucose uptake, GLUT4 protein, and citrate synthase activity in insulin resistant skeletal muscle were investigated. Female obese (fa/fa) Zucker rats were randomly assigned to treadmill training, ingestion of the selective [beta]2-adrenergic agonist, clenbuterol, or sedentary control groups. After 7-8 wk of treatment, hindlimbs were perfused to determine maximal insulin -stimulated (10 mU/ml) 2-deoxyglucose (2-DG) uptake. Exercise training significantly enhanced 2-DG uptake and GLUT4 protein in red gastrocnemius and plantaris. Alternatively, 2-DG uptake was not altered in soleus following exercise training despite a 52% increase in GLUT4 protein. The increases in GLUT4 protein in red gastrocnemius, plantaris and soleus of the trained rats were accompanied by increases in citrate synthase activity. In contrast to exercise training, clenbuterol administration decreased citrate synthase activity in red and white gastrocnemius, yet had no effect on GLUT4 protein levels or maximal insulin-stimulated 2-DG uptake. Clenbuterol treatment did, however, increase citrate synthase activity and GLUT4 protein in soleus. These findings indicate that total GLUT4 protein largely determines the maximal rate of insulin -stimulated glucose uptake in fast-twitch muscle, whereas in slow -twitch muscle, it does not. In addition, the results demonstrate that coordination of proteins governing glucose uptake and disposal may be disrupted in a fiber type specific manner. Overall, the findings raise important questions as to whether regulation of proteins governing glucose uptake and disposal differs significantly among fiber types.

Received 29 September 1994; accepted in final form 9 March 1995.
APS Manuscript Number A1010-4.
Article publication pending Journal of Applied Physiology.
ISSN 1080-4757 Copyright 1995 The American Physiological Society.
Published in APStracts on 28 March 1995.