Abstract
Summary
This study was conducted to determine the length of time required for elevated glucagon secretion induced by protein feeding to be reversed upon resumption of a normal diet. Portal vein (PV) glucagon and glucagon secretion by isolated islets stimulated with arginine were determined in rats fed a high protein (HP) diet for 1 week, in control rats and in animals fed the HP diet for one week followed by the control regimen for 1, 2, 3, 5 or 7 days. Protein feeding caused a 500% rise of PV glucagon which was not reversed until day 7 on the control food. Arginine stimulated glucagon secretion by isolated islets which was almost doubled by protein feeding, returned to basal level on the fifth day of refeeding the control diet. These observations are in agreement with previous work which has demonstrated a slow change in the rate of glucagon synthesis.
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