Regulation of glucose uptake in fast and slow skeletal muscles with fasting and refeeding.

1. The decrease in wet weight and noncollagen protein (NCP) was faster and greater in extensor digitorum longus (EDL) during fasting than in soleus (Sol) muscles in rats. 2. During refeeding, recovery was completed faster in Sol than in EDL. 3. Glucose uptake in skeletal muscle increased significantly during fasting on both a per wet weight and NCP basis. 4. This increase was faster and greater in EDL than Sol. 5. The initial increase in glucose uptake was greater during refeeding than fasting only in EDL.