In vivo glycogenesis in x-irradiated rats.

Studies on the levels of total glycogen in fasted and fed normal animals and in fasted irradiated rats indicate that total-body x irradiation of 600 r increases the hepatic glycogen in fasted rats and that this accumulation of liver glycogen is due to increased synthetic activity rather than due to a block in the breakdown of glycogen. Measurement of free and bound fractions of glycogen in liver and muscle of control and x-irradiated rats indicate that x irradiation produces a uniform rise in both the fractions. The data obtained with the in vivo glycogenesis suggest that the metabolic processes involved in the formation of glycogen from glucose are augmented as a result of irradiation exposure. (auth)