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PubMed1994

Estrogen feedback needed at the paraventricular nucleus or A2 to suppress pulsatile luteinizing hormone release in fasting female rats.

The feedback sites of estrogen within the hypothalamus and lower brain stem involved in the suppression of pulsatile LH secretion during 48-h fasting were examined in ovariectomized rats with local estradiol (E2) implants. The animals were ovariectomized and immediately implanted stereotaxically with stainless steel cannula containing crystal E2 diluted 10 times with crystal cholesterol into the medial preoptic area, paraventricular nucleus (PVN), arcuate nucleus (ARC), locus ceruleus, or A1 or A2 region of the brain. Five days later, animals were deprived of food for 48 h, and blood samples were collected every 6 min for 3 h. Animals were immediately refed for 45 h and bled again as described above. Changes in the mean LH concentrations over the 3-h sampling period and the frequency and amplitude of LH pulses were determined by calculating the differences in these parameters between the first and second blood samplings in each animal. Fasting significantly lowered mean LH concentrations in animals implanted with E2 in the A2. The more potent suppression of pulsatile LH release during fasting was found in rats with E2 implants in the PVN: the mean LH concentrations and LH pulse frequency were significantly reduced by fasting in this group. In the animals with E2 implants in the medial preoptic area, ARC, locus ceruleus, or A1, 48-h fasting did not induce any significant changes in LH pulse parameters compared to those in cholesterol-implanted controls. A decrease in LH pulse amplitude was apparent in refed rats as well as fasted animals only when E2 was implanted in the ARC. These results suggest that the feedback action of estrogen at the PVN and/or A2 is required for fasting-induced suppression of pulsatile LH release, as opposed to the so-called negative feedback action of estrogen, which tonically suppresses LH release in nonfasting rats.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Fasting prevents experimental murine colitis produced by dextran sulfate sodium and decreases interleukin-1 beta and insulin-like growth factor I messenger ribonucleic acid.

Cytokines and insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) are involved in the induction and/or perpetuation of inflammatory bowel disease. The effect of fasting on inflammatory bowel disease was studied in a mouse experimental model of acute colitis caused by adding dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) to drinking water. Animals were either fed ad libitum or fasted (water only) for 2 days before death. Inflammation and tissue damage, measured as a colitis activity score, were markedly reduced in fasted (2.4 +/- 0.1) compared to fed (5.3 +/- 0.1) DSS animals (P < 0.0001). Colon interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), IGF-I, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha messenger RNAs (mRNAs) were quantified by Northern blot hybridization and expressed as a percentage of mRNA abundance in fed controls. In DSS mice, IL-1 beta mRNA was elevated in the fed group (954 +/- 155%; P < 0.001), but was suppressed in fasted animals (71.1 +/- 11%). IGF-I mRNA also was elevated in fed DSS mice (421 +/- 71%; P < 0.01). This increase was attenuated in fasted DSS mice (202 +/- 17%; P < 0.01 compared to fed DSS mice). Tumor necrosis factor-alpha mRNA was increased in fed DSS mice (162 +/- 15%; P < 0.01), but was not significantly lower in fasted animals. By in situ hybridization, IL-1 beta mRNA was localized to the lamina propria of colonic mucosa in fed DSS animals, but was not detectable in other groups. We conclude that fasting has a protective effect on the progression of acute DSS, induced colitis. This is associated with decreased expression of IL-1 beta and IGF-I mRNAs in the colon.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Fasting regulates hypothalamic neuropeptide Y, agouti-related peptide, and proopiomelanocortin in diabetic mice independent of changes in leptin or insulin.

Fasting increases hypothalamic neuropeptide Y (NPY) and agouti-related peptide (AGRP) messenger RNA (mRNA) and reduces hypothalamic POMC mRNA, and is also characterized by a reduction in plasma leptin, insulin, and glucose, each of which has been implicated in the regulation of hypothalamic gene expression. To further evaluate the roles of leptin, insulin, and glucose in mediating effects of fasting, we examined hypothalamic gene expression in nondiabetic and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice both under ad lib fed and 48-h fasted conditions. In both diabetic and nondiabetic mice, fasting stimulated hypothalamic NPY and AGRP mRNA and inhibited hypothalamic POMC mRNA and adipose leptin mRNA. However, in diabetic mice fasting had no effect on plasma leptin and insulin while decreasing plasma glucose, whereas in nondiabetic mice fasting decreased plasma leptin, insulin, and glucose. Furthermore, in nondiabetic fasted mice, NPY and AGRP mRNA were higher, and POMC mRNA and plasma glucose were lower, than in diabetic ad lib fed mice, even though insulin and leptin were similar in these two groups. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that although leptin and insulin regulate hypothalamic gene expression, glucose or other factors may have independent effects on hypothalamic and adipose gene expression under conditions of low insulin and leptin.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed2005

Fasting and postprandial hyperghrelinemia in Prader-Willi syndrome is partially explained by hypoinsulinemia, and is not due to peptide YY3-36 deficiency or seen in hypothalamic obesity due to craniopharyngioma.

The cause of the unique elevation in fasting plasma levels of the orexigenic gastric hormone ghrelin in many patients with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is unclear. We measured fasting and postprandial plasma ghrelin in nonobese (n = 16 fasting and n = 8 postprandial) and obese non-PWS adults (n = 16 and 9), adults with genetically confirmed PWS (n = 26 and 10), and patients with hypothalamic obesity from craniopharyngioma tumors (n = 9 and 6). We show that 1) plasma ghrelin levels decline normally after food consumption in PWS, but there is still fasting and postprandial hyperghrelinemia relative to the patient's obesity (2.0-fold higher fasting ghrelin, 1.8-fold higher postprandial ghrelin, adjusting for percentage of body fat); 2) the fasting and postprandial hyperghrelinemia in PWS appears to be at least partially, but possibly not solely, explained by the concurrent relative hypoinsulinemia and preserved insulin sensitivity for the patient's obesity (residual 1.3- to 1.6-fold higher fasting ghrelin, 1.2- to 1.5-fold higher postprandial ghrelin in PWS, adjusting for insulin levels or homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance); 3) hyperghrelinemia and hypoinsulinemia are not found in craniopharyngioma patients with hypothalamic obesity, and indeed, these patients have relative hyperinsulinemia for their obesity; and 4) there is no deficiency of the anorexigenic intestinal hormone peptide YY(3-36) in PWS contributing to their hyperghrelinemia.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Fasting ghrelin levels are not elevated in children with hypothalamic obesity.

Morbid obesity is a common problem after damage to the hypothalamus. Hypothalamic dysfunction is also thought to underlie the obesity that is typical of Prader-Willi syndrome. Elevated fasting levels of the appetite-stimulating hormone ghrelin have been reported in Prader-Willi syndrome. The aim of this study was to determine whether fasting ghrelin levels are increased in children with hypothalamic obesity. Fasting total ghrelin levels were compared in three groups: normal-weight controls (n = 16), obese controls (n = 16), and patients with hypothalamic obesity (n = 16). Obese children had lower fasting total ghrelin levels than normal controls, but there was no difference between the fasting total ghrelin level in obese controls and children with hypothalamic obesity (P = 0.88). These data suggest that it is unlikely that an elevation in fasting total ghrelin is responsible for the obesity that occurs after hypothalamic damage. Therapeutic interventions aimed at reducing fasting total ghrelin may prove ineffective in controlling weight gain in this group.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Hormonal responses to short term fasting in postmenopausal women.

Urinary excretion of gonadotropins increases during fasting. We investigated whether this increase results from increased pituitary secretion of LH and FSH or from altered renal excretion of protein molecules. To this end, we studied urinary gonadotropin excretion, serum gonadotropin levels, and pituitary responsiveness of LHRH during control, 10-day fasting, and refeeding periods in 10 mildly obese postmenopausal women. Additionally, we measured urinary cortisol and estriol excretion and circulating levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, estradiol, estrone, melatonin, norepinephrine, epinephrine, and dopamine during the control, fasting, and refeeding periods. While urinary excretion of gonadotropins increased markedly during fasting, there were no significant changes in serum gonadotropin levels or in the pituitary sensitivity to LHRH. Plasma norepinephrine and serum melatonin increased significantly during fasting, but serum and urinary estrogens, indices of adrenal activity, and plasma levels of epinephrine and dopamine did not change. These results show that the stress of short term fasting selectively activates only certain components of the neuroendocrine system without any appreciable changes in the function of the gonadotropin-secreting system. Fasting-induced gonadotropinuria is probably explained by altered renal handling of gonadotropin molecules.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Fasting induces a decrease in serum thyroglobulin in normal subjects.

Fasting decreases serum T3 concentrations by reducing peripheral conversion of T4 to T3. Whether it affects TSH and thyroid secretion is controversial. Thyroglobulin (Tg) is a secretory product of the thyroid gland. To determine if fasting might alter thyroid secretion, we measured serum Tg concentrations during and after a 4-day fast in seven normal subjects and examined its correlation with serum TSH, T4, and T3 concentrations. Serum TSH concentrations significantly decreased from a mean prefasting value of 1.55 +/- 0.19 (+/- SE) mU/L to a nadir of 0.82 +/- 0.09 mU/L (P = 0.01) after 3 days of fasting. The mean serum Tg level decreased from 30 +/- 5 to 12 +/- 3 micrograms/L (P = 0.005) and serum T3 from 160 +/- 8 (2.46 +/- 0.12) to 69 +/- 7 ng/dL (1.06 +/- 0.11 nmol/L) (P less than 0.0001) after 4 days of fasting. Serum T4 did not change significantly. Serum TSH, T3, and Tg concentrations returned to prefasting values within 3 days after initiation of refeeding. A significant correlation was found between the mean serum TSH and Tg concentrations (r = 0.77; P less than 0.05) and between the mean serum Tg and T3 concentrations (r = 0.78; P less than 0.05). The individual Pearson's correlation coefficients between serum Tg and serum T3 ranged from 0.67-0.93 and were significant (r greater than 0.70; P less than 0.05) in five of the seven subjects. In conclusion, the parallel changes in serum TSH, Tg, and T3 concentrations during fasting suggest that in addition to the well known decrease in serum T3 concentrations, decreased TSH and thyroid secretion (reflected by serum Tg) may be an adaptive response to fasting.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Decreased bone formation and increased mineral dissolution during acute fasting in young women.

Severe chronic undernutrition is associated with decreased bone turnover and significant bone loss. However, little is known about the short-term effects of nutritional deprivation on bone turnover. To investigate the effects of short-term fasting on bone metabolism and the contribution of acidosis to these changes, 14 healthy women ages 18-26 (mean, 21 +/- 2 (SD years) were randomized to potassium bicarbonate (KHCO3, 2 meq/kg/day in divided doses) to prevent acidosis or control (potassium chloride, 25 meq/day) during a complete 4-day fast. Bone turnover was assessed using specific markers of formation [osteocalcin (OC) and Type I procollagen carboxyl-terminal propeptide (PICP)] and resorption [pyridinoline (PYRX) and deoxypyridinoline (DPYRX)]. Serum bicarbonate levels fell significantly from 27.0 +/- 3.2 to 17.3 +/- 2.6 mmol/L (P < 0.01) in the control group and were decreased compared to patients receiving KHCO3 [17.3 +/- 2.6 vs. 23.4 +/- 2.4 mmol/L, (P < 0.001)]. Serum total and ionized calcium increased significantly in the control group [9.1 +/- 0.1 to 9.4 +/- 0.2 mg/dL (P < 0.01) and 1.20 +/- 0.03 to 1.23 +/- 0.03 mmol/L (P < 0.05), respectively], but not in patients receiving KHCO3. In addition, serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels decreased from 32 +/- 17 to 16 +/- 10 pg/mL (P < 0.05) and urinary calcium excretion increased [86 +/- 51 to 182 +/- 103 mg/day (P = 0.01)] in the control group, but not in patients receiving KHCO3. Serum osteocalcin (OC) and procollagen carboxyl-terminal propeptide (PICP) levels decreased significantly after 4 days of fasting from 9.1 +/- 3.4 to 5.5 +/- 4.2 ng/mL (P < 0.01) and 121 +/- 21 to 46 +/- 13 ng/mL (P = 0.0001) respectively in the patients receiving bicarbonate, and from 10.1 +/- 3.3 to 4.0 +/- 2.9 ng/mL (P < 0.01) and from 133 +/- 22 to 47 +/- 19 ng/mL (P < 0.001) respectively in the control group. The decrease in osteocalcin and PICP during fasting was comparable in both treatment groups. By contrast, urinary excretion of PYRX and DPYRX did not change significantly in either group with 4 days of fasting. These data are the first to demonstrate that markers of bone formation decline significantly with short-term fasting, independent of changes in acid-base status. By contrast, these data demonstrate a direct effect of acidosis in stimulating calcium release from bone during short-term fasting and suggest that acidosis may increase mineral dissolution independent of osteoclast activation and PTH in this experimental model of acute starvation.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗
PubMed1999

Short-term fasting suppresses leptin and (conversely) activates disorderly growth hormone secretion in midluteal phase women--a clinical research center study.

Short term fasting activates the corticotropic and somatotropic, and suppresses the reproductive, axis in men. Analogous neuroendocrine responses are less well characterized in women. Recently, we identified a negative association between the adipocyte-derived nutritional signaling peptide, leptin, and pulsatile GH secretion in older fed women. In the present study, we investigated the impact of acute nutrient deprivation on pulsatile GH and LH secretion and mean leptin concentrations in eight healthy young women in the sex-steroid replete milieu of the midluteal phase of the normal menstrual cycle. Volunteers underwent 24-h blood sampling during randomly ordered, short term (2.5-day), fasting vs. fed sessions in separate menstrual cycles. Pulsatile GH and LH secretion over 24 h was quantified by deconvolution analysis, nyctohemeral rhythmicity was quantified by cosinor analysis, and the orderliness of the GH or LH release process was quantified by the approximate entropy statistic. By paired statistical analysis, a 2.5-day fast failed to alter mean (pooled) 24-h serum concentrations of LH, progesterone, estradiol, or PRL, but increased cortisol levels more than 1.5-fold (P = 0.0003). Concurrently, mean (pooled) serum leptin concentrations fell by 75% (P = 0.0003), and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I; P < 0.05) and insulin decreased significantly (P = 0.0018). In contrast, the daily pulsatile GH secretion rate rose 3-fold (P < 0.001). Amplified daily GH secretion was attributable mechanistically to a 2.3-fold rise in GH secretory burst mass, reflecting an increased GH secretory burst amplitude (P < 0.01). The GH half-life, duration of GH secretory bursts, and GH pulse frequency did not vary during short term fasting. The disorderliness of GH release increased significantly with nutrient restriction (P = 0.005). The mesor and amplitude of the nyctohemeral serum GH concentration rhythm also rose with fasting (P < 0.01), but the timing of maximal serum GH concentrations did not change. Thus, short-term (2.5-day) fasting during the sex steroid-replete midluteal phase of the menstrual cycle in healthy young women profoundly suppresses 24-h serum leptin and insulin (and to a lesser degree, IGF-I) concentrations, augments cortisol release, but fails to alter daily LH, estradiol, or progesterone concentrations. In contrast, the GH axis exhibits strikingly amplified pulsatile secretion, increased nyctohemeral rhythmicity, and marked disorderliness of the release process. We conclude that the somatotropic axis is more evidently vulnerable to short-term nutrient restriction than the reproductive axis in steroidogenically sufficient midluteal phase women. This study invites the question of whether normal (nutritionally replete) GH secretory dynamics can be restored in fasting women by human leptin, insulin, or IGF-I infusions.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Continuation of growth hormone (GH) substitution during fasting in GH-deficient patients decreases urea excretion and conserves protein synthesis.

The consequences of GH deficiency during conditions in which endogenous GH release is acutely stimulated are largely unknown. Short-term fasting constitutes a robust GH stimulus, but the metabolic significance of GH during fasting is uncertain. To address both of these issues, we therefore evaluated the effect of GH on substrate metabolism during fasting in adults with GH deficiency. Seven hypopituitary GH-deficient patients were each studied twice during a 40-h fast: once with GH replacement continued and once with GH discontinued during the fast. After 40 h of fasting, protein synthesis and turnover were higher with than without GH replacement [phenylalanine incorporation (micromol/kg fat free mass/h): 36.6 +/- 1.2 (GH) vs. 32.8 +/- 1.4, P < 0.05; phenylalanine flux (micromol/kg fat free mass/h): 41.3 +/- 1.0 (GH) vs. 38.0 +/- 1.8, P < 0.05]. During continued GH replacement, urea excretion decreased during nighttime [urea excretion (mmol/24 h): 269 +/- 51 (GH) vs. 390 +/- 69, P < 0.05], and a significant decline in urea-N synthesis rate was found [urea-N synthesis rate (mmol/h): 14.7 +/- 1.6 (GH) vs. 21.1 +/- 2.2, P < 0.01]. GH replacement was associated with increased lipid oxidation [lipid oxidation (mg/kg per min): 0.91 +/- 0.07 (GH) vs. 0.70 +/- 0.03, P < 0.05]. Finally, continuation of GH induced moderate elevations in plasma glucose levels without significant changes in total glucose turnover or oxidation. In summary, continued GH substitution during fasting conserves nitrogen, which involves stimulation or maintenance of protein synthesis. Our data support the importance of GH replacement in hypopituitary adults.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Effect of short-term fasting on free and bound leptin concentrations in lean and obese women.

Plasma leptin exists in protein-bound and free forms, which may affect its hormonal bioactivity. Therefore, the relationship between bound and free leptin may be particularly important during physiological conditions that cause rapid alterations in total plasma leptin concentration, such as fasting. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of short-term fasting on bound and free plasma leptin concentrations and leptin binding capacity (a measure of plasma leptin-binding protein content) in lean and obese women. Six lean (body mass index, 21 +/- 1 kg/m2) and 6 abdominally obese (BMI, 36 +/- 1 kg/m2) women were studied after 14 h and 22 h of fasting. Although total plasma leptin concentration was more than 6-fold greater in obese (45.4 +/- 7.6 microg/liter) compared with lean (7.4 +/- 1.0 microg/liter) women at 14 h of fasting (P < 0.05), the percentage of leptin in the bound form was greater in lean than obese subjects (29 +/- 2% vs. 12 +/- 3%; P < 0.05). Arterial total, free, and bound plasma leptin concentrations all declined between 14 h and 22 h of fasting in both lean and obese groups, but the relative decline of these fractions was greater in lean (36 +/- 4%, 60 +/- 9%, and 51 +/- 13%, respectively) than in obese (19 +/- 5%, 21 +/- 8%, and 12 +/- 7%, respectively) subjects (all P < 0.05). In contrast, leptin binding capacity was unchanged. The percentage of total plasma leptin present in bound form was constant between 14 h and 22 h of fasting in lean subjects and increased slightly but significantly in obese subjects. These data demonstrate that both free and bound fractions of leptin in plasma decrease quickly in response to energy restriction, but the decline is blunted in abdominally obese compared with lean women. In addition, the equilibrium between bound and free leptin fractions is maintained during brief fasting and is not regulated by leptin binding capacity.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed2002

Norepinephrine spillover from human adipose tissue before and after a 72-hour fast.

Adipose tissue lipolysis is at least in part stimulated by the sympathetic nervous system (SNS). Although there is a generalized decrease in SNS activity with fasting, the rate of lipolysis during fasting increases. The aim of this study was to determine whether there is an association between activation of sympathetic nerves innervating adipose tissue and the increase in lipolysis seen during fasting in humans. We used the isotope dilution technique to measure regional norepinephrine spillover from abdominal sc adipose tissue from seven healthy subjects before and after a 72-h fast. Our results showed a significant increase in adipose tissue spillover of norepinephrine (mean +/- SEM, 0.40 +/- 0.09 vs. 1.08 +/- 0.18 pmol.100 g(-1).min(-1), P < 0.05) and arterial norepinephrine concentrations (0.92 +/- 0.10 vs. 1.23 +/- 0.08 nmol.liter(-1), P < 0.05) after the fast with no significant change in total body norepinephrine spillover, forearm norepinephrine spillover, epinephrine concentrations, or energy expenditure. We show for the first time, in humans, a selective regional increase in adipose tissue norepinephrine spillover in response to a 72-h fast and suggest that the SNS may play a greater role in the regulation of lipid metabolism during fasting than previously thought.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed2006

Mechanism for increased bioavailability of tacrine in fasted rats.

The mechanism associated with the increased bioavailability of tacrine as a result of a 24-h period of fasting was examined in rats. The AUC value for tacrine after the fasting was 52% higher compared with normal feeding when 4 mg kg(-1) of tacrine was orally administered, but the value for velnacrine, a hydroxylated metabolite of tacrine, was reduced by 10%. The relative metabolic ratio of tacrine in urinary excretion (Au(tacrine) divided by Au(velnacrine)) was lower in fasted rats compared with normally fed rats. This clearly shows that metabolism of tacrine is reduced with 24-h fasting after oral administration. Altered intestinal permeation in the fasting state was hypothesized, and the transport of tacrine across the rat intestine was studied. When a fasted intestine was mounted in an Ussing chamber, the mucosal-to-serosal permeability of tacrine was increased to double that for a fed rat intestine. To examine the effect of absorption rate on the hepatic metabolism of tacrine, a direct pyloric vein infusion study was carried out. Compared with an infusion of tacrine for 5 min, a slow infusion of tacrine over a period of 30 or 60 min increased the hepatic metabolism of tacrine and decreased its systemic clearance in rats. Collectively, these results suggest that rapid transport across the intestine aids tacrine in avoiding hepatic first-pass metabolism and enhances its bioavailability in fasted rats. From these findings, we conclude that both oral administration before a meal and a reduction in the dose might be recommended in tacrine therapy considering the serious hepatotoxicity of tacrine in clinical use.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2004

Metabolism of normothermic woodchucks during prolonged fasting.

The energy metabolism of hibernators has not been characterized for normothermic fasting, and our goal was to quantify oxidative fuel selection of non-hibernating woodchucks Marmota monax during prolonged food deprivation. Indirect calorimetry and nitrogen excretion measurements were used to assess changes in metabolic rate (VO2), fuel selection and composition of nitrogen wastes, as well as seasonal differences. For reference, matching experiments were also performed on rabbits. The results show that woodchucks have a higher metabolic rate in summer (271 micromol O2 kg(-1) min(-1)) than in spring (200 micromol O2 kg(-1) min(-1)) and that fasting-induced metabolic depression is only possible in summer (-25% in 14 days). The metabolic rate of rabbits is high at all times (383 micromol O2 kg(-1) min(-1)), but they show a more rapid depression in response to fasting (-32% in 7 days). Woodchucks have a naturally low reliance on proteins in the fed state (accounting for 8% VO2) in spring; 17% VO2 in summer; vs 28% VO2 in rabbits) and are able to decrease it even further during fasting (spring, 5% VO2); summer, 6% VO2; vs 20% VO2 in rabbits). This study shows that, apart from their notorious capacity for hibernation, woodchucks are particularly well adapted for normothermic fasting. Their ability to cope with prolonged food deprivation is based on a series of integrated responses eliciting deep metabolic depression and a rapid change in fuel selection to spare limited protein reserves. Information presently available on prolonged fasting suggests that such an ability for metabolic depression, possibly down to minimal levels still compatible with normothermic life, may be common among mammals. In contrast, the extreme protein sparing demonstrated in woodchucks is a unique metabolic feature of fasting champions.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed2001

Red and white muscle development in the trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) as shown by in situ hybridisation of fast and slow myosin heavy chain transcripts.

The axial muscle of most teleost species consists of a deep bulk of fast-contracting white fibres and a superficial strip of slow-contracting red fibres. To investigate the embryological development of fast and slow muscle in trout embryos, we carried out single and double in situ hybridisation with fast and slow myosin heavy chain (MyHC)-isoform-specific riboprobes. This showed that the slow-MyHC-positive cells originate in a region of the somite close to the notochord. As the somite matures in a rostrocaudal progression, the slow-MyHC-positive cells appear to migrate radially away from the notochord to the lateral surface of the myotome, where they form the superficial strip of slow muscle. Surprisingly, the expression pattern of the fast MyHC showed that the differentiation of fast muscle commences in the medial domain of the somite before the differentiation and migration of the slow muscle precursors. Later, as the differentiation of fast muscle progressively spreads from the inside to the outside of the myotome, slow-MyHC-expressing cells become visible medially. Our observations that the initial differentiation of fast muscle takes place in proximity to axial structures and occurs before the differentiation and migration of slow muscle progenitors are not in accord with the pattern of muscle formation in teleosts previously described in the zebrafish Danio rerio, which is often used as the model organism in fishes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1979

Effects of obesity, total fasting and re-alimentation on L-thyroxine (T4), 3,5,3'-L-triiodothyronine (T3), 3,3',5'-L-triiodothyronine (rT3), thyroxine binding globulin (TBG), cortisol, thyrotrophin, cortisol binding globulin (CBG), transferrin, alpha 2-haptoglobin and complement C'3 in serum.

UNLABELLED: The effects of total fasting for 31 +/- 10 days followed by re-alimentation with an 800 calorie diet on thyroid function, i.e. T4,T3,rT3,RT3U (resin T3 uptake), and TSH, and on TBG levels in serum were studied sequentially in obese hospitalized patients (N=18). Additionally, cortisol, growth hormone, prolactin, parathyrin and free fatty acids were followed as hormonal and metabolic parameters, respectively. Further, CBG, transferrin, alpha 2-haptoglobin and complement C'3 were measured as representatives of other serum proteins. Results before fasting: T4, T3, TBG, cortisol, CBG, alpha 2-haptoglobin and complement C'3 of the obese patients were elevated when compared with healthy normal weight controls, whereas rT3, T4/TBG ratio, T3/TBG ratio, TSH, coritsol/cbg ratio, growth hormone, prolactin, parathyrin and transferrin of the obese group were normal. RT3U and fT4 index were decreased in the obese patients. Results during fasting: Significant decreases were observed during fasting for the following parameters -- T3, TBG, T3/TBG ratio, transferrin, alpha 2-haptoglobin complement C'3. rT3, T4/TBG ratio, RT3U, fT4 index and FFA increased. T4, tsh response to TRH stimulation, cortisol, CBG, cortisol/cbg ratio, parathyrin, growth hormone and prolactin did not change. Results during re-alimentation: T3, TBG, T3/TBG ratio, TSH response to TRH, transferrin, alpha 2-haptoglobin and complement C'3 increased. Conversely, fT3, RT3U, FFA, cortisol and cortisol/cbg ratio decreased whereas the other parameters did not change. CONCLUSIONS: 1) There is no evidence for primary hypothyroidism in obese patients during prolonged fasting and re-alimentation. 2) The rapid decrease of T3 and increase of RT3U after initiation of fasting are not fully explained by the observed slower decreases in TBG. 3) The alterations of T3, rT3 and RT3U resemble in their kinetics the changes in FFA levels. 4) Fasting reduced the levels of only certain serum proteins, interestingly TBG, transferrin, alpha 2-haptoglobin and complement C'3, all of which, except transferrin, are elevated in obesity. 5) The magnitude of the observed decreases does not suggest any clinically relevant deficiencies in serum proteins. 6) Re-alimentation reverses rapidly all observed changes.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

The effect of fasting on thyroidal T4-5' monodeiodinating activity in mice.

Complete fasting induces a significant decrease of serum T3 and a fall in TSH in rodents and man. To evaluate the effect of starvation on thyroidal T4 5'monodeiodinating activity, in vitro conversion of T4 to T3 by thyroid and liver homogenate from one to three days fasted mice was compared with homogenates from control mice on animal chow. 5'monodeiodinating activity was significantly lower in thyroid homogenates of fasted mice than in those of chow-fed control [100 +/- 5.0 and 92 +/- 5.0 pmol T3.(mg protein)-1.h-1 at 48 and 72 h fasting, respectively, vs 132 +/- 5.0 pmol T3.(mg protein)-1.h-1 of fed control, p less than 0.01]. A similar decrease in thyroidal 5'monodeiodinating activity was seen in the liver. The decrease in thyroidal 5'monodeiodinating activity induced by fasting was not reversed by the supplementation of homogenates with the thiol-protecting agent, dithiothreitol (0.2-4.0 mmol/l). Physiological replacement of T4, 0.58 nmol.(100 g)-1.day-1, did not alter the effect of starvation in either the thyroid or liver. TSH (0.02 IU/day) injection, on the other hand, stimulated 5'monodeiodinating activity in homogenates of thyroids from 3-days fasted mice which was no different from TSH-treated fed control. It is postulated that starvation-induced decrease in thyroidal T4 to T3 converting activity may play a role, together with decreased hepatic 5'monodeiodinating activity, in fasting-induced low serum T3 in mice.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Influence of prolonged fasting and thyroid hormone on the alpha 2-adrenergic response in isolated epididymal adipocytes of Wistar rats.

Fasting and thyroid hormone have been reported to modulate the beta-adrenergic pathway of lipolysis in rat, but their effects on the alpha 2-adrenergic response are not well known. The purpose of the present study was to investigate this point. Male Wistar rats, 3 weeks old, were thyroidectomized surgically, kept for 1 month at 25 degrees C and then fasted or not fasted for 3 days with or without daily intraperitoneal injection of 3,5,3'-tri-iodo-L-thyronine (T3; 4.6 nmol/100 g body weight). Age-matched, sham-operated, fed and fasted euthyroid rats were used as controls. The experiments were carried out using isolated epididymal adipocytes. The alpha 2-adrenergic agonist UK 14304 (UK) inhibited the stimulated lipolysis more in fed than in fasted euthyroid rats whereas it had no effect in hypothyroid or T3-treated hypothyroid rats. The alpha 2-adrenergic antagonist idazoxan reversed the antilipolytic effect of UK more in fasted than in fed euthyroid rats. The alpha 2-adrenergic antagonist RX 821002 (RX) did so, but at lower concentrations than those of idazoxan. Idazoxan slightly increased the glycerol release in hypothyroid and especially T3-treated hypothyroid rats. RX had practically no effect on the production of glycerol in these animals. The findings suggest that (a) fasting and probably hypothyroidism decrease the alpha 2-adrenergic response in adipocytes from rats, (b) T3 treatment of hypothyroid rats has no effect on the alpha 2 response, and (c) thyroid hormone does not directly modulate the alpha 2-adrenergic response in rat adipocytes.

Adipocytes↗