Differential modulation of insulin actions by dexamethasone: studies in primary cultures of adult rat hepatocytes

Background/Aims: Steroid diabetes is associated with hepatic insulin resistance; in hepatic cell models, however, mainly insulin-permissive effects have been described. Here we investigate modulation by dexamethasone of a larger number of insulin actions. Methods: Adult rat hepatocytes were cultured±dexamethasone for 48 h; insulin actions were studied subsequently. Results: Stimulation of glycolysis by insulin but not by glucose required culture with dexamethasone. Activation of glycogen synthesis by insulin or glucose was strongly enhanced by dexamethasone, the insulin effects on glycogenolysis and amino acid uptake were not modulated. When dexamethasone was omitted from the culture, insulin was incapable to activate glycogen synthase, inactivate glycogen phosphorylase or elevate the level of fructose 2,6-bisphosphate. Dexamethasone did not alter insulin binding, insulin receptor number or kinase activity, insulin receptor substrate-1 and Akt protein expression/phosphorylation. Insulin-stimulated association of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase with insulin receptor substrates-1 and -2 was increased with dexamethasone, the increased association with IRS-2 may, at least partially, be explained by higher IRS-2 protein expression. Conclusions: The steroid does not cause hepatic resistance in vitro. The differential attenuation under steroid deprivation points to defects in branches of the insulin signal chain and/or loss of hormonal regulation at the level of target enzymes.