DISCREPANCIES IN LIPOLYTIC-ACTIVITIES INDUCED BY BETA-ADRENOCEPTOR AGONISTS IN HUMAN AND RAT ADIPOCYTES

A number of catecholamine and non-catecholamine β-adrenoceptor agonists, including the lipolytically selective compound BRL 37344, were compared for lipolytic activity on human and rat adipocytes. On rat adipocytes, all compounds were full agonists, BRL 37344 being the most potent. On human adipocytes, only the catecholamines were full β-adrenoceptor agonists. The other compounds were partial agonists, with intrinsic activities declining in the order fenoterol > salbutamol > clenbuterol > BRL 37344. This was the case with FFA- as well as with glycerol-production. Addition of 20 μM phentolamine did not enhance BRL 37344 activity. The isoprenaline- and BRL 37344-induced lipolysis on rat white adipocytes was stereoselectively antagonized by enantiomers of alprenolol, with atypical low potencies and stereoselectivity. It was concluded that (1) human and rat adipocyte β-adrenoceptors mediating lipolysis are not essentially different, (2) partial agonism in human adipocytes is not explained by enhanced re-esterification and (3) BRL 37344 selectively stimulates rat adipocyte lipolysis.