Effects of insulin and epinephrine on Na+-K+ and glucose transport in soleus muscle.

To identify possible cause-effect relationships between changes in active Na+-K+ transport, resting membrane potential, and glucose transport, the effects of insulin and epinephrine were compared in rat soleus muscle. Epinephrine, which produced twice as large a hyperpolarization as insulin, induced only a modest increase in sugar transport. Ouabain, at a concentration (10(-3) M) sufficient to block active Na+-K+ transport and the hyperpolarization induced by the two hormones, did not interfere with sugar transport stimulation. After Na+ loading in K+-free buffer, the return to K+-containing standard buffer caused marked stimulation of active Na+-K+ transport, twice the hyperpolarization produced by insulin but no change in sugar transport. The insulin-induced activation of the Na+-K+ pump leads to decreased intracellular Na+ concentration and hyperpolarization, but none of these events can account for the concomitant activation of the glucose transport system. The stimulating effect of insulin on active Na+-K+ transport was not suppressed by amiloride, indicating that in intact skeletal muscle it is not elicited by a primary increase in Na+ influx via the Na+/H+-exchange system.