Carbohydrate metabolism of mice exposed to simulated changes in gravity

¹ Environmental Biology Division, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California

Unrestrained mice were centrifuged for varying periods ranging from 0.5 to 10 hr at 2.5, 5, and 10 x gravity. Liver glycogen and blood glucose levels increased significantly depending on the g load and exposure time. Adrenalectomy completely abolished the glycogen deposition response. The glycogen response was a critical function of the age of mice; unweaned mice did not respond. Blood corticosterone increased significantly prior to the deposition of glycogen. Centrifuged fed mice deposited three times the amount of glycogen of fasted mice. There was no significant difference in the amount of glycogen deposited in centrifuged mice previously starved for 1, 2, or 3 days. It is concluded that the increased glycogen deposited following centrifugation is effected by an increased elaboration of adrenal corticosterone.

Key Words: centrifugation • liver glycogen deposition • adrenal • corticosterone levels following acceleration stress

Submitted on February 3, 1964