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Horm Metab Res 2004; 36(7): 474-479
DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-825723
Original Clinical
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Light/Dark Cycle-dependent Metabolic Changes in Adipose Tissue of Pinealectomized Rats

M.  I.  C.  Alonso-Vale1 , C.  N.  Borges-Silva1 , G.  F.  Anhê1 , S.  Andreotti1 , M.  A.  Machado1 , J.  Cipolla-Neto1 , F.  B.  Lima1
  • 1Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil
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Publication History

Received 22 September 2003

Acceped after Revision 9 February 2004

Publication Date:
11 August 2004 (online)

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Abstract

We investigated the effects of pinealectomy on adipose tissue metabolism at different times of day. Adult male Wistar rats were divided into two groups: pinealectomized and control (sham-operated). Eight weeks after surgery, the animals were killed at three different times (at 8.00 a.m., at 4.00 p.m. and 11.00 p.m.). We collected blood samples for glucose, insulin, corticosterone, and leptin determinations, and periepididymal adipocytes for in vitro insulin-stimulated glucose uptake, oxidation, and incorporation into lipids. Pinealectomy caused insulin resistance as measured by 2-deoxyglucose uptake (a fall of ∼ 40 % in the maximally insulin-stimulated rates) accompanied by hypercorticosteronemia at the three time points investigated without changes in plasma insulin an or leptin levels. Furthermore, pinealectomy increased the insulin-induced glucose incorporation into lipids (77 %) at 4.00 p.m. and insulin-induced glucose oxidation in the morning and in the afternoon, while higher rates were observed in the evening and in the morning in control rats. In conclusion, cell responsiveness to insulin was differentially affected by pineal ablation and time of day, and persistent insulin resistance was obtained in pinealectomized rats. We hypothesize that pinealectomy exposes the animal to an inadequate match between energy requirements and fuel mobilization.

Key words

Pinealectomy - Adipocyte metabolism - Corticosterone - Insulin resistance - Daily metabolic variations

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Dr. F. B. Lima, M. D., Ph. D.

Department of Physiology and Biophysics · Institute of Biomedical Sciences · University of Sao Paulo

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