Effect of starvation upon hepatic insulin metabolism in the rabbit

Abstract

Plasma insulin levels and blood glucose in both the portal vein and the posterior vena cava in rabbits after total starvation have been studied. The mean plasma insulin of control group changes only from 34 au/ml in the portal vein to 23 /xu/ml in the posterior vena cava. Proportionally, during the fasting state a much smaller amount of insulin traverses the liver into the peripheral circulation from 21 /zu/ml to 8 uu.'ml. Glucose concentration after total starvation remains very stable (76 mg;100 ml).