| pubmed-article:1961118 | pubmed:abstractText | Adrenalectomized rats were implanted with pellets containing corticosterone in proportions varying from 0% to 100%, plus cholesterol. Stable levels of plasma corticosterone resulted, varying from close to zero (I) to physiologic (II) to supraphysiologic (III). Whole body protein synthesis (S) was measured during fasting by a technique involving injection of [1-14C]-leucine, analysis of expired air for 14CO2, and measurement of urinary excretion of urea N plus ammonia N (C). Whole body breakdown (B) during fasting was calculated as the sum of S and C. C rose progressively from I to III, but fractional oxidation of 14C leucine was lowest in II. Both S and B were markedly reduced in I and maximal in II. In III, S fell but B remained high. Thus variations in glucocorticoid levels above and below physiologic exert profound effects on leucine oxidation and protein turnover, involving effects on both synthesis and breakdown. | lld:pubmed |
