Isoform-specific regulation of 5' AMP-activated protein kinase in skeletal muscle from obese Zucker (fa/fa) rats in response to contraction

• Glucose transport can be activated in skeletal muscle in response to insulin via activation of phosphoinositide (PI) 3-kinase and in response to contractions or hypoxia, presumably via activation of 5′ AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). We determined the effects of insulin and muscle contraction/hypoxia on PI 3-kinase, AMPK, and glucose transport activity in epitrochlearis skeletal muscle from insulin-resistant Zucker (fa/ fa) rats. Insulin-stimulated glucose transport in isolated skeletal muscle was reduced 47% in obese versus lean rats, with a parallel 42% reduction in tyrosine-associated PI 3-kinase activity. Contraction and hypoxia elicited normal responses for glucose transport in skeletal muscle from insulin-resistant obese rats. Isoform-specific AMPK activity was measured in skeletal muscle in response to insulin, contraction, or hypoxia. Contraction increased AMPKα1 activity 2.3-fold in lean rats, whereas no effect was noted in obese rats. Hypoxia increased AMPKα1 activity to a similar extent (more than sixfold) in lean and obese rats. Regardless of genotype, contraction, and hypoxia, each increased AMPKα2 activity more than fivefold, whereas insulin did not alter either AMPKα1 or -α2 activity in skeletal muscle. In conclusion, obesity-related insulin resistance is associated with an isoform-specific impairment in AMPKα1 in response to contraction. However, this impairment does not appear to affect contraction-stimulated glucose transport. Activation of AMPKα2 in response to muscle contraction/ exercise is associated with a parallel and normal increase in glucose transport in insulin-resistant skeletal muscle.

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