Insulin action in the isolated starved rat liver

Abstract

A study of the isolated livers in starving and normal rats as a control has been realized. It has been observed that glycogenesis is normal when the fast does not exceed 24 hours. When the period of fasting is prolonged, the intensity of spontaneous glycogenesis diminishes at first, but increases in the presence of insuline. When starvation lasts 72 hours and longer, the insufficiency of glycogenesis is accentuated and the compensating action of insuline becomes less, in such a way that there is hardly any difference in the observations with insuline and without it.

In control experiments, a predominance of glycolysis in the absence of insuline, is observed in the liver of a normal rat. In the presence of insuline, glycolysis is accentuated. This result is more marked when the concentration of glucose in the perfusion liquid is subnormal, whilst in concentrations very superior to the normal, there is hadly any difference in the experiences with insuline or without it.

The authors considerer that the results bear out the interpretations of Soskin and his collaborators regarding the physiological action of insuline.