Daily Injection of the β2 Adrenergic Agonist Clenbuterol Improved Muscle Glucose Metabolism, Glucose-stimulated Insulin Secretion, and Hyperlipidemia in Juvenile Lambs Following Heat-stress-induced Intrauterine Growth Restriction

Authors

• Rachel L. Gibbs, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
• James Wilson, University of Nebraska at OmahaFollow
• Rebecca M. Swanson, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
• Joslyn K. Beard, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
• Zena M. Hicks, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
• Haley Beer, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
• Eileen Marks-Nelson, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
• Ty B. Schmidt, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
• Jessica Lynn Petersen, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
• Dustin T. Yates, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

3-7-2024

Citation

Metabolites (2024) 14: 156

doi: 10.3390/metabo14030156

Comments

Open access

Abstract

Stress-induced fetal programming diminishes β2 adrenergic tone, which coincides with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and lifelong metabolic dysfunction. We determined if stimulating β2 adrenergic activity in IUGR-born lambs would improve metabolic outcomes. IUGR lambs that received daily injections of saline or the β2 agonist clenbuterol from birth to 60 days were compared with controls from pair-fed thermoneutral pregnancies. As juveniles, IUGR lambs exhibited systemic inflammation and robust metabolic dysfunction, including greater (p < 0.05) circulating TNF, IL-6, and non-esterified fatty acids, increased (p < 0.05) intramuscular glycogen, reduced (p < 0.05) circulating IGF-1, hindlimb blood flow, glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, and muscle glucose oxidation. Daily clenbuterol fully recovered (p < 0.05) circulating TNF, IL-6, and nonesterified fatty acids, hindlimb blood flow, muscle glucose oxidation, and intramuscular glycogen. Glucose-stimulated insulin secretion was partially recovered (p < 0.05) in clenbuterol-treated IUGR lambs, but circulating IGF-1 was not improved. Circulating triglycerides and HDL cholesterol were elevated (p < 0.05) in clenbuterol-treated IUGR lambs, despite being normal in untreated IUGR lambs. We conclude that deficient β2 adrenergic regulation is a primary mechanism for several components of metabolic dysfunction in IUGR-born offspring and thus represents a potential therapeutic target for improving metabolic outcomes. Moreover, benefits from the β2 agonist were likely complemented by its suppression of IUGR-associated inflammation.