Metabolic influences on enzymes of glycogen synthesis and breakdown in adipose tissue

Abstract

Rat adipose tissue from different body sites was shown to contain uridine diphosphoglucose (UDPG)-transglucosylase activity, which on the basis of protein content was comparable to or higher than that reported for muscle or liver. In epididymal adipose tissue, the activity of UDPG-glycogen transglucosylase and phosphorylase, as well as the content of glycogen per wet weight, decreased with increasing age of the animals in parallel with the decrease of tissue protein content. On prolonged fast the activity of UDPG-glycogen transglucosylase and phosphorylase per milligram protein dropped by 25–50% of the control value. On refeeding, the extent of changes was variable but, in general, at 24 hr control or higher levels of activity were reached and at 48 hr the activities were elevated. The ratio of glucose 6-phosphate independent activity of UDPG-glycogen transglucosylase to total activity was not affected by fasting and refeeding or by the administration of glucose with insulin. In adrenalectomized rats, with high adipose tissue glycogen, no change in UDPG-glycogen transglucosylase was found, whereas the levels of phosphorylase were elevated. Epinephrine in vivo and in vitro did not affect the activity of UDPG-glycogen transglucosylase of adipose tissue.