Effect of aging on glycogen synthesis in liver of starved-refed rats

Abstract Glycogen content in the livers of young, adult and old rats starved for 40 h and refed with a standard diet for 1, 2 or 4 h was determined. In the fed animals the amount of liver glycogen was similar in all the age groups. Fasting depleted liver glycogen almost completely. Chow refeeding led to glycogen synthesis in the livers of young and adult rats; however, glycogen deposition in the livers of old animals was delayed by 1 h. The amount of liver glycogen replenished in the rats refed for 4 h was similar in all the age groups. Plasma glucose concentrations were similar in all age groups of the fed, starved and refed rats. The mechanisms of age-dependent delay of glycogen synthesis in the liver of starved-refed rats are discussed.