Effect of Fasting on Liver Enzymes Involved in Glucose-6-Phosphate Utilization

Abstract

Effect of 24-hour fasting on liver enzymes involved in G-6-P utilization (phosphoglucomutase, phosphohexoseisomerase and G-6-P dehydrogenase) was studied. The 24-hour fasting caused a decrease in liver mass and an increase in cellularity. Total cellularity, however, did not change. Nitrogen content of the liver homogenate and supernatant fluid was apparently unaltered after 24-hour fasting when values were expressed on a wet weight basis. Nitrogen content significantly decreased in the average cell, in the whole liver and per 100 gm body weight. Changes in liver enzymatic activities were also masked by the shrinkage of the liver. The activities of the three enzymes examined showed only apparent alterations when expressed per wet weight or per nitrogen basis. However, when enzymatic activities were expressed per average cell, phosphoglucomutase and phosphohexoseisomerase showed a statistically significant decrease after 24-hour fasting. The total liver and total available phosphoglucomutase and phosphohexoseisomerase activity also decreased significantly.