Effect of starvation on glycogen and glucose metabolism in different areas of the rat brain.

We have studied the changes in concentration of glycogen, glucose and the bisphosphorylated sugars, glucose 1,6-P2 and fructose 2,6-P2, in several rat brain regions during 72 h of starvation. The animals were killed by focused microwave irradiation. The activities of glycogen metabolizing enzymes in the different areas were measured. A large decrease in glycogen and glucose concentration was observed in all areas. The concentrations of bisphosphorylated sugars changed, suggesting that an increase in glycolysis could take place at the beginning of starvation, with blood glucose as a major energy source. Differences in metabolite concentration before starvation disappeared after 72 h. The activities of glycogen synthase, glycogen phosphorylase and glycogen phosphorylase kinase were similar in all areas, and they did not change during starvation.