Effect of glucose on plasma glucagon and free fatty acids during prolonged exercise

The effects of glucose ingestion on the changes in blood glucose, FFA, insulin and glucagon levels induced by a prolonged exercise at about 50% of maximal oxygen uptake were investigated. Healthy volunteers were submitted to the following procedures: 1. a control test at rest consisting of the ingestion of 100 g glucose, 2. an exercise test without, or 3. with ingestion of 100 g of glucose. Exercise without glucose induced a progressive decrease in blood glucose and plasma insulin; plasma glucagon rose significantly from the 60th min onward (+45 pg/ml), the maximal increase being recorded during the 4th h of exercise (+135 pg/ml); plasma FFA rose significantly from the 60th min onward and reached their maximal values during the 4th h of exercise (2177 +/- 144 muEq/l, m +/- SE). Exercise with glucose ingestion blunted almost completely the normal insulin response to glucose. Under these conditions, exercise did not increase plasma glucagon before the 210th min; similarly, the exercise-induced increase in plasma FFA was markedly delayed and reduced by about 60%. It is suggested that glucose availability reduces exercise-induced glucagon secretion and, possibly consequently, FFA mobilization.     

Glucose and free fatty acid utilization during prolonged exercise in prepubertal boys in relation to catecholamine responses.

Ten prepubertal boys performed 60-min cycle exercise at about 60% of their maximal oxygen uptake as previously measured. To measure packed cell volume, plasma glucose, free fatty acids (FFA), glycerol and catecholamines, blood samples were drawn at rest using a heparinized catheter and at the 15th, 30th and 60th min of the exercise and after 30 min of recovery. At rest, the blood glucose concentrations were at the lowest values for normal. Exercise induced a small decrease of blood glucose which was combined with an abrupt increase of the noradrenaline concentration during the first 15 min. The FFA and glycerol concentrations increased throughout the exercise linearly with that of adrenaline. Compared to adults, the FFA uptake expressed per minute and per litre of oxygen uptake was greater in children. These results suggested that it is difficult for children to maintain a constant blood glucose concentration and that prolonged exercise provided a real stimulus to hypoglycaemia. An immediate and large increase in noradrenaline concentration during exercise and a greater utilization of FFA was probably used by children to prevent hypoglycaemia.     

Hemodynamic and metabolic responses to exercise after adrenoceptor blockade in humans

The effects of acute alpha 1-adrenoceptor blockade with prazosin, beta 1-adrenoceptor blockade with atenolol, and nonselective beta-adrenoceptor blockade with propranolol were compared in a placebo-controlled crossover study of the hemodynamic and metabolic responses to acute exercise 2 h after prolonged prior exercise to induce skeletal muscle glycogen depletion, enhancing the dependence on hepatic glucose output and circulating free fatty acids (FFA). Plasma catecholamines were higher during exercise after, as opposed to before, glycogen depletion and were elevated further by all three drugs. Propranolol failed to produce a significant reduction in systolic blood pressure and elevated diastolic blood pressure. Atenolol reduced systolic blood pressure and did not change diastolic blood pressure. Both beta-blockers reduced FFA levels, but only propranolol lowered plasma glucose relative to placebo during exercise after glycogen depletion. In contrast, prazosin reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressures and resulted in elevated FFA and glucose levels. The results indicate important differences in the hemodynamic effects of beta 1-selective vs. nonselective beta-blockade during exercise after skeletal muscle glycogen depletion. Furthermore they confirm the importance of beta 2-mediated hepatic glucose production in maintaining plasma glucose levels during exercise. Acute alpha 1-blockade with prazosin induces reflex elevation of catecholamines, which in the absence of blockade of hepatic beta 2-receptors produces elevation of plasma glucose. The results suggest there is little role for alpha 1-mediated hepatic glucose production during exercise in humans.     

有氧运动对2型糖尿病大鼠骨骼肌ERK1/2活性的影响

目的：观察有氧运动对2型糖尿病大鼠骨骼肌细胞外信号调节激酶（ERK1/2）活性的影响,探讨有氧运动对2型糖尿病的预防和调控机制。方法：将75只SD大鼠随机分为正常对照组（CON）、糖尿病对照1组（DC1）、糖尿病运动1组（DE1）、糖尿病对照2组（DC2）、糖尿病运动2组（DE2）5组（n=15）。正常对照组用普通饲料喂养,糖尿病组用高脂高糖配方饲料喂养。经过8周高脂高糖喂养后,糖尿病2组大鼠腹腔内注射链脲佐菌素（STZ）,诱发2型糖尿病;糖尿病运动1组游泳的最后1周初和糖尿病对照1组同时注射STZ,注射剂量为35 mg/kg,3 d后尾部取血测血糖≥ 16.7 mmol/L为造模成功。运动干预8周后,测定大鼠血清胰岛素、骨骼肌中ERK1/2蛋白表达等指标。结果：①与正常对照组比较,糖尿病各对照组血液中总胆固醇（TC）、甘油三酯（TG）、低密度脂蛋白（LDL-C）、游离脂肪酸（FFA）显著升高（P<0.05,P<0.01）,空腹血糖（FBG）、胰岛素（FIN）含量和胰岛素抵抗指数（HOMA-IR）显著升高（P<0.01）,ERK1/2磷酸化的蛋白表达显著下降（P<0.05）,糖尿病对照2组ERK1/2蛋白含量显著下降（P<0.05）;②8周游泳运动后,与糖尿病对照组比较,糖尿病运动组血液中TC、TG、FFA、LDL-C显著下降（P<0.05）,FBG、FIN、HOMA-IR显著下降（P<0.05,P<0.01）,ERK1/2磷酸化蛋白表达显著升高（P<0.05）。结论：长时间有氧运动,增加了骨骼肌ERK1/2磷酸化水平,改善了2型糖尿病大鼠胰岛素抵抗的状况,降低血糖。这可能是改善糖代谢紊乱,提高胰岛素敏感性的机制之一。     

Antihyperlipidemic and antidiabetic effects of umbelliferone in streptozotocin diabetic rats

The aim of the study was to evaluate blood glucose and lipid lowering effects of Umbelliferone (UMB) in streptozotocin (STZ) diabetic rats. Male albino Wistar rats (180 to 200 g) were induced diabetes by administration of STZ (40 mg/kg) intraperitonially. Normal and diabetic rats were treated with UMB in 10 percent dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) for 45 days. Diabetic rats had increased plasma glucose and decreased insulin, total proteins (TP), and albumin in addition to decreased food intake and body weight. Elevation in total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C), triglycerides (TG), free fatty acids (FFA), and phospholipids (PL), and reduction in high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in the plasma were observed. Liver and kidney tissues of diabetic rats had elevation in the levels of TC, TG, FFA, and PL. Treatment with UMB decreased plasma glucose and increased insulin, TP, and albumin apart from food intake and body weight. In UMB-treated diabetic rats, plasma and tissue TC, TG, PL and FFA, and plasma LDL-C, VLDL-C, and HDL-C reversed to near normal. Thus, reduction of blood glucose and lipid profiles indicates that UMB has antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic effects in diabetic rats.     

The inhibition of human leukocyte elastase by basic pancreatic trypsin inhibitor

The effects of 30-min intravenous infusions of ethanol (about 50 mm blood concentration), acetaldehyde (about 100 μm blood concentration), and acetate (equimolar dose to acetaldehyde) were studied in normal and adrenalectomized rats. Blood glucose, plasma free fatty acids (FFA), plasma immunoreactive insulin, and glucagon and hepatic glycogen concentrations were measured. Ethanol itself in the presence of 4-methylpyrazole (4-MP) produced no marked changes in the parameters measured. Its infusion without 4-MP reduced plasma insulin by 35% in the normal rats, but not in the adrenalectomized rats, with no simultaneous changes in blood glucose. Acetaldehyde infusion produced hyperglycemia and relatively slight hyperinsulinemia in the normal rats, but not in the adrenalectomized rats. Equimolar acetate was not as potent a stimulator of glycogenolysis as acetaldehyde. Plasma FFA concentrations were markedly reduced by ethanol (without 4-MP), acetaldehyde and acetate both in the normal and adrenalectomized rats, but in the presence of 4-MP ethanol was without effect. The results indicate that metabolites of ethanol (mostly acetaldehyde) produced during ethanol oxidation in vivo are responsible for the stimulation of glycogenolysis through the release of catecholamines from the adrenal glands. The ethanol-induced decrease in plasma FFA is also attributable to the metabolites of ethanol, acetaldehyde having a more potent depressing action than acetate. The mode of inhibition of lipolysis is not related to hormonal factors.     

Effect of diazepam treatment on metabolic indices in trained and untrained rats

Exercise training, like diazepam, is commonly employed as a means of reducing anxiety. Both diazepam and exercise training have been shown to modify carbohydrate and lipid metabolism as well as influence calcium metabolism in skeletal muscle. As receptor binding and thereby efficacy of diazepam has been demonstrated to be modulated by the lipid environment of the receptor, and changes in calcium levels can affect a number of intracellular signalling pathways, we sought to determine if the interaction of both chronic diazepam and exercise training would modify selected metabolic indices in an animal model. For this purpose, muscle and liver glycogen, blood glucose and plasma free fatty acids (FFA) were measured in sedentary, exercise trained and exercise trained, acutely exhausted animals. Alterations in lipid and carbohydrate metabolism were observed in all experimental groups. Diazepam treatment alone exerts metabolic consequences, such as elevated muscle glycogen and plasma FFA and depressed blood glucose levels, which are similar to those observed with exercise training. When animals are acutely exercised to exhaustion, however, differences appear, including a reduced rise in plasma FFA, which suggests that long-term diazepam treatment does influence exercise metabolism, possibly as a result of effects on the sympatho-adrenal system.     

运动对老年肥胖大鼠脂联素的影响

目的：探讨运动对老年肥胖大鼠内脏脂肪组织脂联素mRNA和蛋白质表达、血浆脂联素浓度及胰岛素抵抗的影响。方法：取雄性SD大鼠,鼠龄21 d,分青春期、壮年期和老年期三个阶段喂养高脂饲料（脂肪率为36.3%~40.0%）,建立老年肥胖模型。鼠龄达到60周后,取自然生长老年大鼠随机分为对照组（C）和老年运动组（AE）,n=6;取老年肥胖大鼠随机分为肥胖对照组（OC）和肥胖运动组（OE）,n=6。动物跑台坡度0°,运动速度及时间为（15 m/min×15 min）,4组/次,组间休息5 min,每次共运动60 min,5次/周,持续运动8周。8周后,检测内脏脂肪组织脂联素mRNA和蛋白质表达,测定血糖、血浆脂联素浓度和胰岛素浓度,计算胰岛素抵抗。结果：运动干预后,与对照组比较,肥胖对照组大鼠脂联素mRNA和蛋白质表达显著减低,血糖浓度和胰岛素抵抗明显增高;而老年运动组大鼠脂联素mRNA和蛋白质表达显著增高。与肥胖对照组大鼠比较,肥胖运动组大鼠脂联素mRNA和蛋白质表达显著增高、血浆脂联素水平增高,血糖浓度和胰岛素抵抗明显减低。结论：老年肥胖大鼠内脏脂肪组织脂联素mRNA和蛋白质表达均降低,伴随胰岛素抵抗、血糖升高。运动能显著增加其内脏脂肪组织脂联素mRNA和蛋白质表达,升高血浆脂联素水平,改善胰岛素抵抗,降低血糖。     

Plasma free fatty acids in pregnant insulin-independent Natal Indian diabetics

A study was undertaken in Natal Indians to determine the insulin secretory response and the comparative degree of free fatty acidaemia in normal and insulin-independent diabetic pregnant women. The fasting plasma FFA and glucose levels were found to be substantially greater in the diabetic subjects. The pattern of plasma FFA and glucose response to exogenous insulin was similar in both groups. Endogenous insulin produced a similar FFA response, but a markedly obtunded blood sugar response occurred among the diabetics despite adequate plasma insulin levels. The significance of the differential effect of endogenous insulin on FFA and glucose metabolism in pregnant insulin-independent Natal Indian diabetics is discussed.     

Reciprocal changes of plasma glucose and ketone bodies in fasted and acutely diabetic rats after CNS stimulation

To assess the effect of chemical stimulation of the central nervous system (CNS) on ketogenesis, we injected neostigmine (5 x 10(-8)mol) into the third cerebral ventricle in normal rats fasted for 48 h and fed rats with diabetes induced by streptozotocin (STZ, 80 mg/kg). The hepatic venous plasma levels of ketone bodies (3-hydroxybutyrate and acetoacetate), free fatty acids (FFA), and glucose were measured for 120 min after the injection of neostigmine under pentobarbital anesthesia. In the normal rats, plasma glucose levels were significantly increased but neither ketone bodies nor FFA were affected by CNS stimulation with neostigmine. In contrast the plasma levels of ketone bodies and FFA were significantly increased in STZ-diabetic rats, while glucose levels remained unchanged. The intravenous infusion of somatostatin (1.0 microgram/kg/min) suppressed the increase in plasma ketone bodies following CNS stimulation in STZ-diabetic rats. These findings suggest that CNS stimulation with neostigmine may accelerate ketogenesis by promoting the lipolysis, which may be induced by glucagon, in fed diabetic rats but not in normal fasted rats.     

Comparison of the effects of pre-exercise feeding of glucose, glycerol and placebo on endurance and fuel homeostasis in man

Six men were studied during exercise to exhaustion on a cycle ergometer at 73% of VO2max following ingestion of glycerol, glucose or placebo. Five of the subjects exercised for longer on the glucose trial compared to the placebo trial (p less than 0.1; 108.8 vs 95.9 min). Exercise time to exhaustion on the glucose trial was longer (p less than 0.01) than on the glycerol trial (86.0 min). No difference in performance was found between the glycerol and placebo trials. The ingestion of glucose (lg X kg-1 body weight) 45 min before exercise produced a 50% rise in blood glucose and a 3-fold rise in plasma insulin at zero min of exercise. Total carbohydrate oxidation was increased by 26% compared to placebo and none of the subjects exhibited a fall in blood glucose below 4 mmol X 1-1 during the exercise. The ingestion of glycerol (lg X kg-1 body weight) 45 min before exercise produced a 340-fold increase in blood glycerol concentration at zero min of exercise, but did not affect resting blood glucose or plasma insulin levels; blood glucose levels were up to 14% higher (p less than 0.05) in the later stages of exercise and at exhaustion compared to the placebo or glucose trials. Both glycerol and glucose feedings lowered the magnitude of the rise in plasma FFA during exercise compared to placebo. Levels of blood lactate and alanine during exercise were not different on the 3 dietary treatments.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Fatty acid kinetics and carbohydrate metabolism during electrical exercise in spinal cord-injured humans

Motor center activity and reflexes from contracting muscle have been shown to be important for mobilization of free fatty acids (FFA) during exercise. We studied FFA metabolism in the absence of these mechanisms: during involuntary, electrically induced leg cycling in individuals with complete spinal cord injury (SCI). Healthy subjects performing voluntary cycling served as controls (C). Ten SCI (level of injury: C5-T7) and six C exercised for 30 min at comparable oxygen uptake rates (approximately 1 l/min), and [1-14C]palmitate was infused continuously to estimate FFA turnover. From femoral arteriovenous differences, blood flow, muscle biopsies, and indirect calorimetry, leg substrate balances as well as concentrations of intramuscular substrates were determined. Leg oxygen uptake was similar in the two groups during exercise. In SCI, but not in C, plasma FFA and FFA appearance rate fell during exercise, and plasma glycerol increased less than in C (P < 0.05). Fractional uptake of FFA across the working legs decreased from rest to exercise in all individuals (P < 0.05) but was always lower in SCI than in C (P < 0.05). From rest to exercise, leg FFA uptake increased less in SCI than in C subjects (14 +/- 3 to 57 +/- 20 vs. 41 +/- 13 to 170 +/- 57 micromol x min(-1) x leg(-1); P < 0.05). Muscle glycogen breakdown, leg glucose uptake, carbohydrate oxidation, and lactate release were higher (P < 0.05) in SCI than in C during exercise. Counterregulatory hormonal changes were more pronounced in SCI vs. C, whereas insulin decreased only in C. In conclusion, FFA mobilization, delivery, and fractional uptake are lower and muscle glycogen breakdown and glucose uptake are higher in SCI patients during electrically induced leg exercise compared with healthy subjects performing voluntary exercise. Apparently, blood-borne mechanisms are not sufficient to elicit a normal increase in fatty acid mobilization during exercise. Furthermore, in exercising muscle, FFA delivery enhances FFA uptake and inhibits carbohydrate metabolism, while carbohydrate metabolism inhibits FFA uptake.     

Epinephrine, glucose, and lactate infusion in exercising adrenodemedullated rats

The purpose of this study was to determine the metabolic function of the marked increase in plasma epinephrine which occurs in fasted rats during treadmill exercise. Fasted adrenodemedullated (ADM) and sham-operated (SHAM) rats were run on a rodent treadmill (21 m/min, 15% grade) for 30 min or until exhaustion. ADM rats were infused with saline, epinephrine, glucose, or lactate during the exercise bouts. ADM saline-infused rats showed markedly reduced endurance, hypoglycemia, elevated plasma insulin, reduced blood lactate, and reduced muscle glycogenolysis compared with exercising SHAM's. Epinephrine infusion corrected all deficiencies. Glucose infusion restored endurance run times and blood glucose to normal without correcting the deficiencies in blood lactate and muscle glycogenolysis. Infusion of lactate partially corrected the hypoglycemia at 30 min of exercise, but endurance was not restored to normal and rats were hypoglycemic at exhaustion. We conclude that in the fasted exercising rat, actions of epinephrine in addition to provision of gluconeogenic substrate are essential for preventing hypoglycemia and allowing the rat to run for long periods of time.     

Fat and carbohydrate metabolism during low intensity exercise: effects of the availability of muscle glycogen

Four subjects were studied during exercise at 50% of maximum oxygen uptake after a normal diet, after a low carbohydrate (CHO) diet following exercise-induced glycogen depletion, and after a high CHO diet. This regime has previously been shown to cause changes in the amount of glycogen stored in the exercising muscles. Metabolic and respiratory parameters were measured during the exercise. The respiratory exchange ratio, blood lactate, blood pyruvate, blood glucose and plasma triglycerides were lower than normal following the low CHO diet and higher than normal following the high CHO diet. Plasma free fatty acids and plasma glycerol were higher than normal after the low CHO diet and lower than normal after the high CHO diet. The contribution of CHO to metabolism was less than normal after the low CHO diet and greater than normal after the high CHO diet. The altered availability of FFA does not appear to be a result of the variations in the blood lactate content.     

Effect of maternal exercise on fetal liver glycogen late in gestation in the rat

To determine the effect of maternal exercise on fetal liver glycogen content, fed and fasted rats that were pregnant for 20.5 or 21.5 days were run on a rodent treadmill for 60 min at 12 m/min with a 0% grade or 16 m/min up a 10% grade. The rats were anesthetized by intravenous injection of pentobarbital sodium, and fetal and maternal liver and plasma samples were collected and frozen. Fetal liver glycogenolysis did not occur as a result of maternal exercise. Fetal blood levels of lactate increased 22-60%, but glucose, plasma glucagon, and insulin were unchanged during maternal exercise. Maternal liver glycogen decreased as a result of exercise in all groups of rats except the fasted 20.5-day-pregnant group. Plasma free fatty acids increased in all groups and blood lactate increased in fed (20.5 days) and fasted (21.5 days) pregnant rats. Maternal glucose, glucagon, and insulin values remained constant during exercise. The fetus appears to be well-protected from metabolic stress during moderate-intensity maternal exercise.     

Carbohydrate metabolism in fructose-fed and food-restricted running rats

In chronically catheterized rats hepatic glycogen was increased by fructose (approximately 10 g/kg) gavage (FF rats) or lowered by overnight food restriction (FR rats). [3-3H]- and [U-14C]glucose were infused before, during, and after treadmill running. During exercise the increase in glucose production (Ra) was always directly related to work intensity and faster than the increase in glucose disappearance, resulting in increased plasma glucose levels. At identical work-loads the increase in Ra and plasma glucose as well as liver glycogen breakdown were higher in FF and control (C) rats than in FR rats. Breakdown of muscle glycogen was less in FF than in C rats. Incorporation of [14C]glucose in glycogen at rest and mobilization of label during exercise partly explained that 14C estimates of carbohydrate metabolism disagreed with chemical measurements. In some muscles glycogen depletion was not accompanied by loss of 14C and 3H, indicating futile cycling of glucose. In FR rats a postexercise increase in liver glycogen was seen with 14C/3H similar to that of plasma glucose, indicating direct synthesis from glucose. In conclusion, in exercising rats the increase in glucose production is subjected to feedforward regulation and depends on the liver glycogen concentration. Endogenous glucose may be incorporated in glycogen in working muscle and may be used directly for liver glycogen synthesis rather than after conversion to trioses. Fructose ingestion may diminish muscular glycogen breakdown. The [14C]glucose infusion technique for determination of muscular glycogenolysis is of doubtful value in rats.     

Effect of propranolol on thyroxine-induced changes in body temperature and metabolism during exercise in dogs.

Effects of thyroxine on temperature and metabolism during exercise were studied in dogs after beta-adrenergic blockade. Dogs performed 60 min treadmill exercise of moderate intensity 5 and 72 h following thyroxine injected s.c. in a single dose of 0.1 mg/kg b.w. Thyroxine increased significantly the lipolytic response to exercise as well as blood lactate (LA) concentrations and rectal temperature (Tre) during exercise as early as 5h following the hormone administration. The changes became more pronounced 72 h after the injection. At rest Tre, blood FFA and LA levels in the thyroxine-treated dogs did not differ from the control values, and blood glucose was slightly, but significantly higher. Propranolol given intravenously in a dose of 0.25 mg/kg at 30 min of the exercise performed 72 h following thyroxine injection abolished the plasma FFA rise, and inhibited to a certain extent increases in Tre and blood LA concentrations during the next 30 min of exercise.     

高脂饮食和地塞米松联合诱导胰岛素抵抗大鼠模型

目的用高脂饲料＋地塞米松（dexamethasone,DEX）隔日腹腔注射建立实验性胰岛素抵抗大鼠模型,研究该模型糖代谢、脂代谢和激素水平等方面的变化。方法采用Wistar雄性大鼠,分为正常对照组、高脂组、DEX组（1mg/kg,i.p.）和高脂＋DEX组（1mg/kg,i.p.）,连续观察8周,每周测定大鼠空腹血糖,分别于造模第2周和第8周测糖耐量,8周后处死大鼠,测定胸腺、脾脏、肝脏等脏器重量。结果高脂饲料能加重腹腔注射DEX造成的空腹血糖升高,造模第8周空腹血糖（7.7±0.7）较空白组（6.5±0.6）显著升高。使模型动物糖耐量明显异常,肝糖原、肌糖原含量显著增加,血浆胰岛素及游离脂肪酸水平显著升高,各脏器指数明显增加。结论高脂＋DEX隔日腹腔注射能成功诱导胰岛素抵抗大鼠模型,这种造模方法较单纯注射DEX或单纯高脂饲养成模率高,造模周期短。     

Influence of fasting on glycogen depletion in rats during exercise

We recently observed that a 24-h fasted group of rats could run longer than an ad libitum fed control group before becoming exhausted. Because of the demonstrated importance of glycogen levels and free fatty acid availability during endurance exercise, we have investigated several parameters of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism in exercised and nonexercised rats that were either fed ad libitum or fasted for 24 h. A 24-h fast depleted liver glycogen, lowered plasma glucose concentration, decreased muscle glycogen levels, and increased free fatty acid and beta-hydroxybutyrate concentrations in plasma. During exercise the fasted group had lower plasma glucose concentration, higher plasma concentration of free fatty acids and beta-hydroxybutyrate, and a lower muscle glycogen depletion rate than did the ad libitum fed group. Since fasted rats were able to continue running even when plasma glucose had dropped to levels lower than those of fed-exhausted rats, it seems unlikely that blood glucose level, per se, is a factor in causing exhaustion. These results suggest that fasting increases fatty acid utilization during exercise and the resulting "glycogen sparing" effect may result in increased endurance.     

Effect of Acipimox on Plasma Lipids and Glucose/Insulin in Pregnant Rats

To determine how a reduction in maternal hypertriglyceridemia during late pregnancy may affect glucose/insulin relationships, pregnant and virgin rats were orally treated with acipimox, a potent antilipolytic agent. In 20-day pregnant rats receiving 80 mg of acipimox, plasma triglycerides (TG), free fatty acids (FFA), and glycerol decreased more than in virgin rats shortly after the drug (up to 7 hours), when compared with animals treated with distilled water, whereas plasma glucose level was unaffected by the treatment in either group of rats. When acipimox was given every 12 hours from day 17 to day 20 of pregnancy, plasma TG, FFA, and glycerol levels progressively increased, whereas they either decreased or did not change in virgin rats receiving the same treatment, with no effect in plasma glucose levels in either group. Fetal body weight was lower than in controls in 20-day pregnant rats that received acipimox for 3 days. On day 20 of pregnancy, 3 hours after receiving acipimox or distilled water, rats received a 2 g glucose/kg oral load and it was found that the change in plasma glucose was similar in both groups, whereas the increase in plasma insulin was greater in pregnant rats treated with acipimox. However, no difference was found in either variable after the oral glucose load in virgin rats receiving acipimox or distilled water. No differences in plasma glucose levels were found after intravenous (IV) administration of insulin in pregnant rats treated or not treated with acipimox. In conclusion, present results show that administration of acipimox during the last days of gestation inhibited lipolysis and decreased fetal weight. Over a short period of time, in pregnant rats, reductions of plasma FFA and TG after acipimox treatment improved the glucose-induced insulin release, but did not seem to have any effect in peripheral insulin resistance.