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PubMed2003

Delaying aging: could the study of hormesis be more helpful than that of the genetic pathway used to survive starvation?

Many studies have described the positive effect of food restriction on aging and longevity in rodents as well as a genetic pathway activated in response to starvation in nematodes and mice. This genetic pathway may be conserved across phyla and some authors are convinced that these studies could help delay aging, particularly human aging. I suggest that these studies are analyzing a rescue program used to resist starvation but not active in ad libitum-fed animals. Whether these studies provide an increased understanding and ability to delay aging under the usual living conditions of animals and humans is unclear. The study of hormesis is proposed as a way of studying aging under normal living conditions, because ad libitum-fed animals subjected to mild stresses can live slightly longer than control animals and display increased resistance to strong stresses. It would be of interest to study, in animals subjected to a mild stress inducing hormesis, the response to non-lethal stresses rather than lethal ones, because elderly people are more often confronted by such non-lethal stresses (e.g., temperature drop in winter) than by lethal ones.

Aging↗
PubMed1998

Leptin modulates the T-cell immune response and reverses starvation-induced immunosuppression.

Nutritional deprivation suppresses immune function. The cloning of the obese gene and identification of its protein product leptin has provided fundamental insight into the hypothalamic regulation of body weight. Circulating levels of this adipocyte-derived hormone are proportional to fat mass but maybe lowered rapidly by fasting or increased by inflammatory mediators. The impaired T-cell immunity of mice now known to be defective in leptin (ob/ob) or its receptor (db/db), has never been explained. Impaired cell-mediated immunity and reduced levels of leptin are both features of low body weight in humans. Indeed, malnutrition predisposes to death from infectious diseases. We report here that leptin has a specific effect on T-lymphocyte responses, differentially regulating the proliferation of naive and memory T cells. Leptin increased Th1 and suppressed Th2 cytokine production. Administration of leptin to mice reversed the immunosuppressive effects of acute starvation. Our findings suggest a new role for leptin in linking nutritional status to cognate cellular immune function, and provide a molecular mechanism to account for the immune dysfunction observed in starvation.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Glomerular hemodynamics and hormonal evaluation during starvation in rats.

The effects of total food deprivation on renal function were evaluated in normal Munich-Wistar rats submitted to starvation (S) periods of two to eight days (Groups S2 to S8). A prompt and sustained decrease in renal plasma flow (RPF) and an increase in total renal vascular resistance (TRVR) were observed after the second day, together with a gradual decrease in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) until the fourth day (40% in the S4 group, P less than 0.05). After this period, a spontaneous and progressive increase in GFR occurred in spite of continuing low RPF and high TRVR. Glomerular hemodynamics were evaluated in additional animals from groups S4 and S7. As observed for whole kidney GFR, mean single nephron (SN) GFR was reduced in group S4, but not in group S7. The decline in SNGFR in S4 was the result of a decline (approximately 40%) in glomerular plasma flow rate (QA) and glomerular capillary hydraulic pressure (PGC), due to a predominant increase (approximately 60%) in afferent arteriolar resistance. In S7, SNGFR and its determinants did not differ from the control. Angiotensin II (Ang II), prostaglandin (but not thromboxane A2, TxA2) inhibition blunted the alterations in whole kidney function observed in S4. Conversely in S7, the inhibition of vasoconstrictor agents (Ang II and TxA2) did not normalize GFR, suggesting that the intrarenal vasoconstriction could be an important factor to maintain GFR after a prolonged period of starvation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed2004

The role of autophagy during the early neonatal starvation period.

At birth the trans-placental nutrient supply is suddenly interrupted, and neonates face severe starvation until supply can be restored through milk nutrients. Here, we show that neonates adapt to this adverse circumstance by inducing autophagy. Autophagy is the primary means for the degradation of cytoplasmic constituents within lysosomes. The level of autophagy in mice remains low during embryogenesis; however, autophagy is immediately upregulated in various tissues after birth and is maintained at high levels for 3-12 h before returning to basal levels within 1-2 days. Mice deficient for Atg5, which is essential for autophagosome formation, appear almost normal at birth but die within 1 day of delivery. The survival time of starved Atg5-deficient neonates (approximately 12 h) is much shorter than that of wild-type mice (approximately 21 h) but can be prolonged by forced milk feeding. Atg5-deficient neonates exhibit reduced amino acid concentrations in plasma and tissues, and display signs of energy depletion. These results suggest that the production of amino acids by autophagic degradation of 'self' proteins, which allows for the maintenance of energy homeostasis, is important for survival during neonatal starvation.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Correlated response of autogeny to selection for adult starvation resistance in the blowfly, Lucilia cuprina.

We withheld sucrose from adults in three lineages of Lucilia cuprina, producing a four-fold greater mortality than in control lineages, in order to impose direct selection for carbohydrate starvation resistance. The frequency of autogeny (maturation of eggs in the absence of adult protein feeding) increased as a correlated response by an average of 4.9 to 9.2% per generation in three lineages subjected to starvation over five generations. The frequency of autogeny fluctuated but did not display a significant net change in three control lineages. Autogeny in L. cuprina seems to behave as a threshold trait, with a continuous, genetically-based underlying disposition producing discrete phenotypes. The heritability of autogeny in our laboratory lineages was estimated to be 0.09 to 0.39, 0.04 to 0.36, and -0.08 to 0.30 (95% confidence intervals). Despite the potential for autogeny to evolve and despite protein limitation of female fecundity in Australian populations of L. cuprina, the trait is rare or absent in the field. Genetic variation for autogeny may be maintained, but at sub-threshold levels, by nutrient availability in the field, while trade-offs associated with autogeny probably limit the net fitness benefit of the trait and prevent the evolution of a noticeable frequency of autogenous females.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Leptin suppresses semi-starvation induced hyperactivity in rats: implications for anorexia nervosa.

Semi-starvation induced hyperactivity (SIH) occurs in rodents upon caloric restriction. We hypothesized that SIH is triggered by the decline in leptin secretion associated with food restriction. To test this hypothesis, rats, which had established a stable level of activity, were treated with leptin or vehicle via implanted minipumps concomitantly to initiation of food restriction for 7 days. In a second experiment treatment was initiated after SIH had already set in. In contrast to the vehicle-treated rats, which increased their baseline activity level by 300%, the development of SIH was suppressed by leptin. Furthermore, leptin was able to stop SIH, after it had set in. These results underscore the assumed major role of leptin in the adaptation to semi-starvation. Because SIH has been viewed as a model for anorexia nervosa, we also assessed subjective ratings of motor restlessness in 30 patients with this eating disorder in the emaciated state associated with hypoleptinemia and after increments in leptin secretion brought upon by therapeutically induced weight gain. Hypoleptinemic patients ranked their motor restlessness higher than upon attainment of their maximal leptin level during inpatient treatment. Thus, hypoleptinemia might also contribute to the hyperactivity frequently associated with anorexia nervosa.

Animals↗
PubMed1974

The effect of starvation on phosphodiesterase activity and the content of adenosine 3' :5'-cyclic monophosphate in isolated mouse pancreatic islets.

1. The concentration of cyclic AMP and the activity of phosphodiesterase were measured in isolated pancreatic islets from fed or 48h-starved mice. 2. Two different phosphodiesterases were detected. Neither the maximum activity nor the K(m) values of these enzymes were changed by starvation. 3. The concentration of cyclic AMP in non-incubated islets was the same in islets from fed and starved mice. 4. Incubation with 3.3mm-glucose for 5-30min had no effect on the concentration of cyclic AMP, irrespective of the nutritional state of the mice. Incubation with 16.7mm-glucose for 5-30min raised the concentration of cyclic AMP by about 30% in islets from fed mice. This rise was prevented by addition of mannoheptulose (3mg/ml). Incubation with 16.7mm-glucose had no effect on the cyclic AMP content in islets from starved mice. 5. In islets from fed mice 10min incubation with 5mm-caffeine had no effect on the concentration of cyclic AMP in the presence of 3.3 or 16.7mm-glucose, whereas the cyclic AMP content was increased approx. 150% in islets from starved mice. 6. After 10min incubation with 1mm-3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine in the presence of 3.3 or 16.7mm-glucose the concentration of cyclic AMP was raised by 250% in islets from fed mice and by 400% in islets from starved mice. 7. A threefold function of glucose in the insulin-secretory process is suggested, according to which the decreased islet glucose metabolism is the primary defect in the insulin-secretory mechanism during starvation.

3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases↗
PubMed1976

Glucose metabolism in perfused skeletal muscle. Effects of starvation, diabetes, fatty acids, acetoacetate, insulin and exercise on glucose uptake and disposition.

1. The regulation of glucose uptake and disposition in skeletal muscle was studied in the isolated perfused rat hindquarter. 2. Insulin and exercise, induced by sciatic-nerve stimulation, enhanced glucose uptake about tenfold in fed and starved rats, but were without effect in rats with diabetic ketoacidosis. 3. At rest, the oxidation of lactate (0.44 mumol/min per 30 g muscle in fed rats) was decreased by 75% in both starved and diabetic rats, whereas the release of alanine and lactate (0.41 and 1.35 mumol/min per 30 g respectively in the fed state) was increased. Glycolysis, defined as the sum of lactate+alanine release and lactate oxidation, was not decreased in either starvation or diabetes. 4. In all groups, exercise tripled O2 consumption (from approximately 8 to approximately 25 mumol/min per 30 g of muscle) and increased the release and oxidation of lactate five- to ten-fold. The differences in lactate release between fed, starved and diabetic rats observed at rest were no longer apparent; however, lactate oxidation was still several times greater in the fed group. 5. Perfusion of the hindquarter of a fed rat with palmitate, octanoate or acetoacetate did not alter glucose uptake or lactate release in either resting or exercising muslce; however, lactate oxidation was significantly inhibited by acetoacetate, which also increased the intracellular concentration of acetyl-CoA. 6. The data suggest that neither that neither glycolysis nor the capacity for glucose transport are inhbitied in the perfused hindquarter during starvation or perfusion with fatty acids or ketone bodies. On the other hand, lactate oxidation is inhibited, suggesting diminished activity of pyruvate dehydrogenase. 7. Differences in the regulation of glucose metabolism in heart and skeletal muscle and the role of the glucose/fatty acid cycle in each tissue are discussed.

Acetoacetates↗
PubMed1977

Alterations in regulation of insulin biosynthesis in pregnancy and starvation studied in isolated rat islets of langerhans.

1. Insulin biosynthesis in isolated rat islets of Langerhans was determined by the incorporation of [(3)H]leucine into newly synthesized islet proteins. Anti-insulin serum covalently coupled to a solid phase (CNBr-activated Sepharose 4B) was used to separate the immunoreactive proinsulin and insulin from other islet proteins. This method was applied to a study of the regulation of insulin biosynthesis in isolated rat islets of Langerhans during pregnancy, and immediately after a period of food deprivation. 2. Islets isolated from pregnant rats showed an increased basal rate of synthesis compared with the non-pregnant controls. In addition, they showed a significant increase in biosynthesis of proinsulin and insulin in comparison with the normal islets over a range of glucose concentrations of 2-20mm. 3. Addition of the phosphodiesterase inhibitor 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine significantly increased the insulin-synthetic response of normal islets over the glucose range 5-20mm, so that their glucose response approached that of islets from pregnant rats. 4. Normal female rates were injected with a long-acting progesterone derivative (hydroxyprogesterone hexanoate), to investigate the role of progesterone on the increased insulin biosynthesis observed in islets in pregnancy. There appeared to be no marked difference in insulin biosynthesis between the islets from the progesterone-injected and control rats in the presence of 2mm- or 6mm-glucose alone. However, in the presence of 4mm- or 6mm-glucose and 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine there was a significant increase in insulin biosynthesis in the progesterone-treated animals. 5. Total islet protein biosynthesis was determined by the incorporation of [(3)H]leucine into trichloroacetic acid-precipitable islet proteins. Islets isolated from normal rats showed a 1.6-fold increase in incorporation over the glucose concentration range 2-20mm, and this value remained unchanged during starvation; however, rates of incorporation were significantly raised in islets isolated from pregnant rats in the presence of 20mm-glucose. 6. Islets from starved and fed control rats were incubated in the presence of increasing concentrations of glucose or glucose+3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine. The islets isolated from the starved animals showed a diminished insulin-synthetic response to glucose as compared with the controls; this response was partially restored to normal values by elevation of cyclic AMP concentrations by using 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine. 7. It is suggested that the alterations in glucose-stimulated insulin biosynthesis observed in islets during pregnancy and after a period of starvation could be attributable, at least in part, to a long-term alteration of the cyclic AMP system, and in pregnancy to a direct or indirect effect of progesterone on beta-cell function.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

Evidence for a role of insulin in the regulation of lipogenesis in lactating rat mammary gland. Measurements of lipogenesis in vivo and plasma hormone concentrations in response to starvation and refeeding.

Fatty acid synthesis in the mammary gland of lactating rats in vivo was 5-fold higher than in the liver. Starvation decreased fatty acid synthesis in the gland 50-fold, whereas refeeding for 2h completely reversed this change. The plasma insulin concentration decreased 2-fold in starvation and was restored to the fed-rat value on refeeding. Glucagon and prolactin concentrations did not always change in parallel with lipogenesis, suggesting that insulin may be a regulator of this process in the gland.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

The effect of starvation on the rate of protein synthesis in rat liver and small intestine.

1. A method is described that allows for measurement of protein synthesis in liver and intestine in the rat. By injecting a massive amount of [14C]leucine (100 mumol/100 g body wt.) an attempt has been made to over come problems of precursor specific radioactivity and problems arising from the breakdown of labelled protein that are encountered when tracer amounts of amino acids are used. 2. Starvation for 2 days resulted in decline in the rate of total liver protein synthesis from 87%/day to 62%/day. 3. In jejunal mucosa the rate of protein synthesis was 136%/day. This declined to 105%/day after 2 days of starvation.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

Regulation of protein metabolism by a physiological concentration of insulin in mouse soleus and extensor digitorum longus muscles. Effects of starvation and scald injury.

1. Although high concentrations of insulin affect both synthesis and degradation of skeletal-muscle protein, it is not known to what extent these effects occur with physiological concentrations. The effects of a physiological concentration of insulin (100 mu units/ml) on muscle protein synthesis, measured with [3H]tyrosine, and on muscle protein degradation, measured by tyrosine release in the presence of cycloheximide, were studied in mouse soleus and extensor digitorum longus muscles in vitro. 2. Insulin significantly stimualated protein synthesis in both muscles, but an inhibition of degradation was seen only in the extensor digitorum longus. 3. Starvation for 24 h decreased the rate of protein synthesis and increased the rate of breakdown in the extensor digitorum longus. Sensitivity to insulin-stimulation of proteins synthesis in the soleus was increased by starvation. 4. ;a 20%-surface-area full-skin-thickness dorsal scald injury produced a fall in total protein content in soleus and extensor digitorum muscles, maximal on the third day after injury. Soleus muscles 2 days after injury showed an impairment of protein synthesis; degradation was unaffected and neither synthesis nor degradation in vitro was significantly affected in the extensor digitorum longus. 5. The advantages and limitations of studies of protein metabolism in vitro are discussed.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1980

Influence of starvation and clofibrate administration on oxidative phosphorylation by rat liver mitochondria.

Whole cells, homogenates and mitochondrial obtained from the livers of albino rats which were starved for 6 days or more showed a 50% decrease in oxidative activity. The decrease could be corrected by the addition of cytochrome c in vitro. The phosphorylative activity of mitochondria remained unaffected. The decrease in oxidative rate was not observed when starving animals were given the anti-hypercholesterolaemic drug clofibrate. The total cellular concentration of cytochrome c was not affected by starvation. However, the concentration of the pigment in hepatic mitochondria isolated from starving animals was less than half that in normal mitochondria. Clofibrate-treated animals did not show a decreased concentration of cytochrome c in hepatic mitochondria. Mitochondria isolated from starving animals, though deficient in cytochrome c, did not show any decrease in succinate dehydrogenase activity or in the rate of substrate-dependent reduction of potassium ferricyanide or attendant phosphorylation. In coupled mitochondria, ferricyanide may not accept electrons from the cytochrome c in the respiratory chain. Starvation decreases the concentration of high-affinity binding sites for cytochrome c on the mitochondrial membrane. The dissociation constant increases in magnitude.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗
PubMed1982

Regulation of acetyl-CoA carboxylase in rat mammary gland. Effects of starvation and of insulin and prolactin deficiency on the fraction of the enzyme in the active form in vivo.

The ;initial' (I), endogenous phosphatase-activated (A) and citrate-activated (C) activities of acetyl-CoA carboxylase were measured in mammary-gland extracts of pregnant and lactating rats. There was a 10-fold increase in the A and C enzyme activities in the transition from early to peak lactation [cf. data of Mackall & Lane (1977) Biochem. J.162, 635-642], but there was no significant increase in the ratio of the initial activity to the A and C activities of the enzyme. Starvation (24h) or short-term (3h) streptozotocin-induced diabetes both resulted in a 40% decrease in I/A and I/C activity ratios. In starvation this was accompanied by a decrease in the absolute values of the A and C activities such that the initial activity in mammary glands of starved animals was 45% that in glands from fed animals. Insulin treatment of starved or diabetic animals 60min before killing increased the I activity without affecting the A or C enzyme activities. Removal of the pups for 24h from animals in peak lactation (weaning) resulted in a marked but similar decrease in all three activities such that, although the initial activity was only 10% of that in suckled animals, the I/A and I/C activity ratios remained high and unaltered. Inhibition of prolactin secretion by injection of 2-bromo-alpha-ergocryptine gave qualitatively similar results to those during weaning. Simultaneous administration of ovine prolactin completely prevented the effects of bromoergocryptine. It is suggested that the initial activity of acetyl-CoA carboxylase in rat mammary gland is regulated by at least two parallel mechanisms: (i) an acute regulation of the proportion of the enzyme in the active state and (ii) a longer-term modulation of enzyme concentration in the gland. Insulin appeared to mediate its acute effects through mechanism (i), whereas prolactin had longer-term effects on enzyme concentration in the gland. A comparison of initial enzyme activities (I) obtained in the present study with rates of lipogenesis measured in vivo [Agius & Williamson (1980) Biochem. J.192, 361-364; Munday & Williamson (1981) Biochem. J.196, 831-837] gave good agreement between the two sets of data for all conditions studied except for 24h-starved and streptozotocin-diabetic animals. It is suggested that acetyl-CoA carboxylase activity is rate-limiting for lipogenesis in the mammary gland in normal, fed, suckled or weaned animals but that in starved and short-term diabetic animals changes in the activity of the enzyme by covalent modification alone may not be sufficient to maintain the enzyme in its rate-limiting role.

Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase↗
PubMed1982

Changes in the proportion of acetyl-CoA carboxylase in the active form in rat liver. Effect of starvation, lactation and weaning.

1. The activity of acetyl-CoA carboxylase (EC 6.4.1.2) in extracts of freeze-clamped liver samples from fed or 24 h-starved virgin, pregnant, lactating and weaned rats was measured (i) immediately after preparation of extracts (;I activity'), (ii) after incubation of extracts with partially purified preparations of either rabbit muscle protein phosphatase 1 [Antoniw, Nimmo, Yeaman & Cohen (1977) Biochem. J.162, 423-433] or rabbit liver phosphatase [Brandt, Capulong & Lee (1975) J. Biol. Chem.250, 8038-8044] (;A activity') and (iii) after incubation with 20mm-potassium citrate before or after incubation with phosphatases (;C activity'). 2. Incubation of liver extracts at 30 degrees C without any additions resulted in activation of acetyl-CoA carboxylase that was shown to be due to dephosphorylation of the enzyme by endogenous protein phosphatase activity. This latter activity was not stimulated by Ca(2+) and/or Mg(2+) but was stimulated by 1 mm-Mn(2+). Incubation of extracts with either of the partially purified phosphatases (0.2-0.5 unit) resulted in faster dephosphorylation and activation. The activity achieved after incubation with either of the exogenously added phosphatases was similar. 3. The A and C activities increased during late pregnancy, were lower than in the virgin rat liver during early lactation and increased by 2-fold in liver of mid-lactating rats. Weaning of mid-lactating rats for 24 h resulted in no change in A and C activities but after 48 h weaning they were significantly lower than those in livers from suckled mothers. 4. The I activity followed a similar pattern of changes as the A and C activities during pregnancy and lactation such that, although the I/A and I/C activity ratios tended to be lower during late pregnancy and early lactation, there were no significant changes in I/A and I/C ratios between lactating and virgin animals. However, these ratios were significantly higher in liver from fed 24 h-weaned animals. 5. Starvation (24 h) resulted in a marked decrease in I activity for all animals studied except early-lactating rats. This was due to a combination of a decrease in the concentration of acetyl-CoA carboxylase in liver of starved animals (A and C activities) and a decrease in the fraction of the enzyme in the active form (lower I/C and I/A ratios). The relative importance of the two forms of regulation in mediating the starvation-induced fall in I activity was about equal in livers of virgin, pregnant and lactating animals. However, the decrease in I/A and I/C ratios was of dominating importance in livers of weaned animals. The A/C activity ratios were the same for livers from all animals studied. 6. The maximal activity of fatty acid synthase was also measured in livers and was highly and positively correlated with the A and C activities of acetyl-CoA carboxylase, suggesting that the concentrations of the two enzymes in the liver were controlled coordinately. 7. It is suggested that the lack of correlation between plasma insulin levels and rates of lipogenesis in the transition from the virgin to the lactating state may be explained by different effects of insulin and prolactin on the concentration of acetyl-CoA carboxylase in the liver and on the fraction of the enzyme in the active form.

Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase↗
PubMed1982

Control of cell protein catabolism in rat liver. Effects of starvation and administration of cycloheximide.

1. The loss of liver protein occurring in rats starved for 24 h was largely prevented by the administration of repeated doses of cycloheximide, an inhibitor of protein synthesis. Similar effects were produced on tubulin, a 'fixed' liver protein. 2. Starvation accelerated, whereas cycloheximide markedly lowered, the rate of protein radioactivity decay after labelling with [3H]valine or [14C]bicarbonate, indicating that changes in catabolic rates played an important role in the above regulations of liver protein mass. 3. The total activity of several lysosomal hydrolases showed little change in livers of starved rats, but a marked progressive decline developed after the administration of cycloheximide, particularly in the activities of cathepsins B, D and L as well as acid ribonuclease. There was no evidence that these changes might be due to endogenous inhibitors (at least for cathepsin B activity, which fell to less than 30% of the control values) or enzyme leakage into the bloodstream; rather, plasma beta-galactosidase and beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase activities fell progressively during the cycloheximide treatment. 4. Endogenous proteolytic rates, measured in vitro by incubating subcellular preparations from livers prelabelled in vivo with [3H]valine, were markedly decreased in cycloheximide-treated animals. 5. The osmotic fragility of hepatic lysosomes, appreciably enhanced in starved animals, after cycloheximide treatment was found to be even lower than in fed controls. 6. The present data are consistent with the view that in starved animals the loss of liver protein is mostly accounted for by increased breakdown, due, in part at least, to enhanced autophagocytosis. 7. Cycloheximide largely counteracted these effects of starvation, altering the liver from being 'poised' in a proteolytic direction to a protein-sparing condition. The present data suggest that, besides suppression of the autophagic processes, a decrease in the lysosomal proteolytic enzyme system may also play a role in this regulation, and they seem to provide further circumstantial evidence for the existence of co-ordinating mechanisms between protein synthesis and degradation.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

Response to starvation of hepatic carnitine palmitoyltransferase activity and its regulation by malonyl-CoA. Sex differences and effects of pregnancy.

1. Hepatic carnitine palmitoyltransferase activity was measured over a range of concentrations of palmitoyl-CoA and in the presence of several concentrations of the inhibitor malonyl-CoA. These measurements were made in mitochondria obtained from the livers of fed and starved (24 h) virgin female and fed and starved pregnant rats. 2. In the fed state overt carnitine palmitoyltransferase activity was significantly lower in virgin females than in age-matched male rats. 3. Starvation increased overt carnitine palmitoyltransferase activity in both virgin and pregnant females. This increase was larger than in the male and was greater in pregnant than in virgin females. 4. In the fed state pregnancy had no effect on the Hill coefficient or the [S]0.5 when palmitoyl-CoA was varied as substrate. Pregnancy did not alter the sensitivity of the enzyme to inhibition by malonyl-CoA. 5. Starvation decreased the sensitivity of the enzyme to malonyl-CoA. The change in sensitivity was similar in male, virgin female and pregnant rats. 6. The possible relevance of these findings to known sex differences and changes with pregnancy in hepatic fatty acid oxidation and esterification are discussed.

Acyl Coenzyme A↗
PubMed1983

Effect of starvation and refeeding on polyamine concentrations and ornithine decarboxylase antizyme in mammary gland of lactating rats.

Starvation caused a marked increase in putrescine content in mammary gland of lactating rats, together with a marked decrease in activity of ornithine decarboxylase and appearance of measurable ornithine decarboxylase antizyme. 2. Refeeding for 5 h caused disappearance of free antizyme and ornithine decarboxylase activity returned to the value in fed animals. Putrescine concentration remained elevated. 3. There was no significant change in nucleic acid content of mammary gland from starved rats, but spermidine and spermine contents increased significantly. 4. Refeeding for 5 h returned the spermidine content of mammary glands to 'fed' values, and significantly decreased the content of spermine, although it did not reach control values. Thus changes in polyamine content of mammary gland in starved rats are clearly dissociated from changes in either RNA content or activities of polyamine-synthetic decarboxylases. 5. Starvation caused a fall in the content of spermidine in liver, with no change in spermine content. Refeeding for 5 h returned the spermidine content to 'fed' values.

Animals↗