Enzymes involved in adenosine metabolism in rat white and brown adipocytes. Effects of streptozotocin-diabetes, hypothyroidism, age and sex differences.

1. Adipocytes were isolated from epididymal white fat and interscapular brown fat of male rats, and activities of 5'-nucleotidase, adenosine deaminase and adenosine kinase were measured in cell extracts. 2. 5'-Nucleotidase activity in white adipocytes was increased in streptozotocin-diabetes, decreased in hypothyroidism and increased with age. That activity in brown adipocytes was unchanged in diabetes, decreased in hypothyroidism and increased with age. 5'-Nucleotidase activity was higher in white adipocytes from female rats. 3. Adenosine deaminase activity in white adipocytes was increased in diabetes, decreased in hypothyroidism and increased with age. That activity in brown adipocytes was decreased in diabetes and hypothyroidism. 4. Adenosine kinase activity in both cell types was unchanged in diabetes or hypothyroidism, but increased with age.