TY - JOUR

T1 - Studies in Rats of Combined Muscle and Liver Perfusion and of Muscle Extract Indicate That Contractions Release a Muscle Hormone Directly Enhancing Hepatic Glycogenolysis

AU - Han, Xiao X.

AU - Holst, Jens J.

AU - Galbo, Henrik

PY - 2022

Y1 - 2022

N2 - BACKGROUND: Established neuroendocrine signals do not sufficiently account for the exercise-induced increase in glucose production. Using an innovative, yet classical cross-circulation procedure, we studied whether contracting muscle produces a factor that directly stimulates hepatic glycogenolysis.METHODS: Isolated rat hindquarters were perfused in series with isolated livers.RESULTS: Stimulation of the sciatic nerve of one or both legs resulted in an increase in force, which rapidly waned. During one-legged contractions, hepatic glucose production increased initially (from -0.9 ± 0.5 (mean ± SE) to 3.3 ± 0.7 µmol/min, p < 0.05). The peak did not differ significantly from that seen after 20 nM of epinephrine (5.1 ± 1.2 µmol/min, p > 0.05). In response to two-legged contractions, the increase in hepatic glucose production (to 5.4 ± 1.3 µmol/min) was higher (p < 0.05) and lasted longer than that seen during one-legged contractions. During contractions, peak hepatic glucose output exceeded concomitant hepatic lactate uptake (p < 0.05), and glucose output decreased to basal levels, while lactate uptake rose to a plateau. Furthermore, in separate experiments an increase in lactate supply to isolated perfused livers increased lactate uptake, but not glucose output. In intact rats, intra-arterial injection of extract made from mixed leg muscle elicited a prolonged increase (p < 0.05) in plasma glucose concentration (from 5.2 ± 0.1 mM to 8.3 ± 1.5 mM). In perfused livers, muscle extract increased glucose output dose dependently. Fractionation by chromatography of the extract showed that the active substance had a MW below 2000.CONCLUSION: This study provides evidence that contracting skeletal muscle may produce a hormone with a MW below 2000, which enhances hepatic glycogenolysis according to energy needs. Further chemical characterization is warranted.

AB - BACKGROUND: Established neuroendocrine signals do not sufficiently account for the exercise-induced increase in glucose production. Using an innovative, yet classical cross-circulation procedure, we studied whether contracting muscle produces a factor that directly stimulates hepatic glycogenolysis.METHODS: Isolated rat hindquarters were perfused in series with isolated livers.RESULTS: Stimulation of the sciatic nerve of one or both legs resulted in an increase in force, which rapidly waned. During one-legged contractions, hepatic glucose production increased initially (from -0.9 ± 0.5 (mean ± SE) to 3.3 ± 0.7 µmol/min, p < 0.05). The peak did not differ significantly from that seen after 20 nM of epinephrine (5.1 ± 1.2 µmol/min, p > 0.05). In response to two-legged contractions, the increase in hepatic glucose production (to 5.4 ± 1.3 µmol/min) was higher (p < 0.05) and lasted longer than that seen during one-legged contractions. During contractions, peak hepatic glucose output exceeded concomitant hepatic lactate uptake (p < 0.05), and glucose output decreased to basal levels, while lactate uptake rose to a plateau. Furthermore, in separate experiments an increase in lactate supply to isolated perfused livers increased lactate uptake, but not glucose output. In intact rats, intra-arterial injection of extract made from mixed leg muscle elicited a prolonged increase (p < 0.05) in plasma glucose concentration (from 5.2 ± 0.1 mM to 8.3 ± 1.5 mM). In perfused livers, muscle extract increased glucose output dose dependently. Fractionation by chromatography of the extract showed that the active substance had a MW below 2000.CONCLUSION: This study provides evidence that contracting skeletal muscle may produce a hormone with a MW below 2000, which enhances hepatic glycogenolysis according to energy needs. Further chemical characterization is warranted.

U2 - 10.3390/jpm12050837

DO - 10.3390/jpm12050837

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 35629259

VL - 12

JO - Journal of Personalized Medicine

JF - Journal of Personalized Medicine

SN - 2075-4426

IS - 5

M1 - 837

ER -