Abstract

The purpose of these experiments was to determine whether alterations in preproinsulin messenger (m)RNA activity could account for changes in insulin biosynthesis during fasting and refeeding. Rats were fasted 4 d and then fed for 6, 8, 24, or 48 h. With fasting, body weight decreased 25%, plasma glucose decreased from 6.1 to 2.2 mM, and pancreatic insulin content fell to 40% that of fed animals. Islet RNA decreased to 50% and protein to 55% that of control animals, while islet DNA content remained unchanged. After 6 h of refeeding, islet RNA content increased and was not significantly different from controls.

Authors

Stephen J. Giddings, John Chirgwin, M. Alan Permutt

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