Glucose utilization and insulin action in adult rats submitted to prolonged food restriction

Am J Physiol. 1992 Jul;263(1 Pt 1):E1-7. doi: 10.1152/ajpendo.1992.263.1.E1.

Abstract

Glucose tolerance and insulin effects on glucose production and utilization by various tissues were studied in 70-day-old anesthetized rats submitted to food restriction from the fetal stage. Basal and glucose-induced plasma insulin levels were reduced in food-restricted rats without alterations in glucose tolerance. Insulin action was quantified by using the euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp technique. Glucose turnover rates were measured by using D-[6-3H]glucose. Exogenous insulin failed to decrease glucose production in food-restricted rats. Weight-related whole body glucose utilization was higher in restricted rats than in controls both in the basal (21.9 +/- 0.7 vs. 9.4 +/- 0.6 mg.min-1.kg-1) and hyperinsulinemic states (37.5 +/- 1.1 vs. 14.0 +/- 1.2 mg.min-1.kg-1). Local glucose utilization by peripheral tissues was estimated by a 2-deoxy-D-[1-3H]glucose technique. In both basal and hyperinsulinemic conditions glucose utilization was increased in various adipose and muscle tissues of the food-restricted rats as compared with the controls. Thus we conclude that food restriction leads to an increase in the insulin-mediated glucose uptake by various peripheral tissues and to insulin resistance in the liver.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adipose Tissue / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Female
  • Food Deprivation / physiology*
  • Glucose / metabolism*
  • Glucose / pharmacology
  • Glycogen / metabolism
  • Insulin / blood
  • Insulin / pharmacology*
  • Kinetics
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Muscles / metabolism
  • Rats
  • Rats, Inbred Strains
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Insulin
  • Glycogen
  • Glucose