From owner-metabolic-reg@net.bio.net Tue Aug 06 23:00:00 1996 Path: biosci!agate!newsgate.duke.edu!news.mathworks.com!newsfeed.internetmci.com!btnet!zetnet.co.uk!dispatch.news.demon.net!demon!mail2news.demon.co.uk!concern1.demon.co.uk From: steve collins Newsgroups: bionet.metabolic-reg,bionet.cellbio,bionet.molbiol.proteins,sci.med,sci.med.nutrition Subject: metabolic adaptations during prolonged fasting / starvation Date: Wed, 07 Aug 1996 09:13:17 GMT Organization: None Lines: 10 Message-ID: <96123183wnr@concern1.demon.co.uk> Reply-To: steve@concern1.demon.co.uk X-NNTP-Posting-Host: concern1.demon.co.uk X-Broken-Date: Wednesday, Aug 07, 1996 09.13.17 X-Newsreader: Newswin Alpha 0.7 X-Mail2News-Path: disperse.demon.co.uk!post.demon.co.uk!concern1.demon.co.uk Xref: biosci bionet.metabolic-reg:806 sci.med:133794 sci.med.nutrition:48385 Is there any evidence for metabolic adaptations to spare protein during starvation / prolonged fasting? Much of what I read seems to be saying that after the initial loss of labile protein the utilistaion of protein / kg body weight (as reflected by urinary N losses) is constant (i.e. no metabolic adaptations to spare protein). I find this conclusion slightly at odds with the observations that obese people survive very much longer during prolonged fasting than leaner people. If anybody could shed any light on where my thinking is going wrong I'd be most greatful -- steve collins .