Effect of adenosine deaminase and an adenosine analogue on insulin sensitivity in soleus muscle of the rat.

The concentration of insulin that produces half-maximal stimulation of glycolysis in stripped soleus muscle preparations is decreased from approximately 100-10 muunits/ml by the presence of adenosine deaminase in the incubation medium. This suggests that adenosine decreases insulin sensitivity. The effect of the deaminase is abolished by addition of the adenosine analogue, N6-phenylisopropyladenosine which is not metabolised by the deaminase. The effect of the deaminase in isolated soleus muscle is similar to that of a period of physical training of the rat.