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Stress Stimulates Production of Catecholamines in Rat Adipocytes

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Abstract

The sympathoadrenal system is the main source of catecholamines (CAs) in adipose tissues and therefore plays the key role in the regulation of adipose tissue metabolism. We recently reported existence of an alternative CA-producing system directly in adipose tissue cells, and here we investigated effect of various stressors—physical (cold) and emotional stress (immobilization) on dynamics of this system. Acute or chronic cold exposure increased intracellular norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine (EPI) concentration in isolated rat mesenteric adipocytes. Gene expression of CA biosynthetic enzymes did not change in adipocytes but was increased in stromal vascular fraction (SVF) after 28 day cold. Exposure of rats to a single IMO stress caused increases in NE and EPI levels, and also gene expression of CA biosynthetic enzymes in adipocytes. In SVF changes were similar but more pronounced. Animals adapted to a long-term cold exposure (28 days, 4°C) did not show those responses found after a single IMO stress either in adipocytes or SVF. Our data indicate that gene machinery accommodated in adipocytes, which is able to synthesize NE and EPI de novo, is significantly activated by stress. Cold-adapted animals keep their adaptation even after an exposure to a novel stressor. These findings suggest the functionality of CAs produced endogenously in adipocytes. Taken together, the newly discovered CA synthesizing system in adipocytes is activated in stress situations and might significantly contribute to regulation of lipolysis and other metabolic or thermogenetic processes.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by Slovak Research and Development Agency (No. APVV-0088-10 and 0148–06); TRANSMED 2, ITMS: 26240120030; VEGA Grants (2/0188/09 and 2/0036/11) and EFSD New Horizonts Grant.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Vlarska 3, 833 06, Bratislava, Slovak Republic

    R. Kvetnansky, J. Ukropec, M. Laukova & P. Vargovic

  2. LDN Labor Diagnostika Nord, Nordhorn, Germany

    B. Manz

  3. National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA

    K. Pacak

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  1. R. Kvetnansky
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  2. J. Ukropec
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  3. M. Laukova
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  4. B. Manz
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  5. K. Pacak
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  6. P. Vargovic
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Correspondence to R. Kvetnansky.

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Kvetnansky, R., Ukropec, J., Laukova, M. et al. Stress Stimulates Production of Catecholamines in Rat Adipocytes. Cell Mol Neurobiol 32, 801–813 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10571-012-9822-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10571-012-9822-6

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