Summary
The effect of a prolonged fast was studied in surgically portocaval shunted (PCS)
rats. This shunt excludes the liver from the direct effect of pancreatic and enteric
hormones, thus facilitating the study of the biochemical and metabolic effects of
these hormones. In portocaval shunted rats, liver glycogen was lower than that of
control rats, and remained unaffected during fasting. No remarkable difference was
observed in blood glucose, plasma and liver free fatty acids and blood ketone bodies.
Among blood nitrogen compounds, total protein, alanine and urea did not show any significant
variation, while, in PCS rats, the initial low levels of creatinine resulted in an
increase after fast. Skeletal muscle protein decreased only slightly in control rats,
while their loss was remarkable in PCS rats. The possibility of a differential activation
of gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis in control and PCS rats is discussed.
Key-Words:
Portocaval Shunt
-
Glycogen
-
Fast
