title: The effects of glucose and alanine infusion on urea production and gluconeogenesis in the starved newborn guinea pig.
abstract: We studied the effects of glucose, alanine, and saline infusion in newborn guinea pigs. After acute (24-30 h after delivery) or prolonged (96-100 h after delivery) starvation, alanine or glucose infusion significantly increased liver glycogen concentration. Alanine infusion increased plasma glucose concentration and urea production rate (UrP). After acute starvation, a continuous 12-hour glucose infusion did not affect either plasma alanine concentration or UrP; however, after prolonged starvation, glucose infusion significantly reduced both variables. After prolonged starvation, the newborn guinea pig mobilizes alanine for gluconeogenesis. Increased protein catabolism is a consequence of this process. Glucose infusion negates the need for gluconeogenesis and spares body protein.
mesh_terms: D000409:Alanine / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D005943:Gluconeogenesis / Q000187:drug effects*; D005947:Glucose / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D007263:Infusions, Parenteral; D008112:Liver Glycogen / Q000378:metabolism; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology; D013217:Starvation / Q000378:metabolism*; D014508:Urea / Q000096:biosynthesis*
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D008112:Liver Glycogen; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D014508:Urea; D005947:Glucose; D000409:Alanine