Effect of adrenalectomy on acceleration of gluconeogenesis by calcium ions, adenosine 3′:5′-cyclic monophosphate and adrenaline in rat kidney tubules

1. Gluconeogenesis from pyruvate was measured in renal-cortical-tubules fragments prepared from fed male rats 6-8 days after adrenalectomy or sham adrenalectomy. The response of this process to 3′:5′-cyclic AMP and adrenaline was compared in these two states at two Ca2+ concentrations. 2. Adrenalectomy decreased the percentage stimulation of gluconeogenesis by 3′:5′-cyclic AMP, but increased percentage stimulation by adrenaline. Cortisol treatment of adrenalectomized rats (50 mg/kg, twice daily for 2 days) did not reverse the change in responsiveness to 3′:5′-cyclic AMP and adrenaline. 3. Stimulation of gluconeogenesis by 1 micron-adrenaline was unaffected by 10 micron-propranolol (beta-blocker) in either state. Phentolamine (alpha-blocker; 10 micron) totally blocked stimulation of gluconeogenesis by 1 micron-adrenaline in the sham-operated condition, but was only partially effective in this respect after adrenalectomy.