To evaluate the possibility that some of the metabolic effects of GH in rat adipose tissue depend upon phosphorylation-dephosphorylation reactions, we examined the effects of the isoquinoline sulfonamide family (H-7, H-8, and HA-1004) of protein kinase inhibitors on the actions of GH. In the course of these studies it became clear that these compounds may also block RNA synthesis. In the concentration range of 50-200 microM, H-7, H-8, and HA-1004 completely blocked lipolysis in response to the combination of 100 ng/ml dexamethasone and 30 ng/ml human GH in segments of epididymal fat from normal rats, but were less effective in blocking lipolysis in response to either 1 mM (Bu)2cAMP or 1 ng/ml isoproterenol, which are known to depend upon activation of protein kinase-A. Activation of protein kinase-C with phorbol myristate nearly doubled the rate of glucose oxidation in segments of normal adipose tissue, and this insulin-like response was completely inhibited with 200 microM H-7. At concentrations as high as 500 microM, H-7, H-8, and HA-1004 failed to inhibit the insulin-like response to GH in tissue segments of either normal or hypophysectomized rats. However, when 200 microM H-7 or H-8, but not HA-1004, was present during the first 3 h of treatment with GH, it prolonged the duration of the insulin-like response (acceleration of glucose oxidation) from its normal termination within 2-3 h to more than 4 h. Identical results were obtained with 5 micrograms/ml actinomycin-D. The effect of H-7 or H-8 was reversible and required the continuous presence of these agents, whereas actinomycin-D was required only during the first 60 min after GH. Termination of the insulin-like response normally is followed by a period of several hours in which the tissues are refractory to further insulin-like stimulation by GH. When actinomycin-D, H-7, H-8, or HA-1004 was added to tissues of hypophysectomized rats 60 min after GH, the insulin-like response terminated at its normal time, but the tissues were not refractory to insulin-like stimulation upon reexposure to GH. These agents also prevented GH from sustaining refractoriness in normal adipose tissue.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)