Effects of progesterone on some enzymes of fat and carbohydrate metabolism in rat liver.

The known effect of progesterone on carbohydrate metabolism prompted a study of some of the hepatic "lipogenic" and "gluconeogenic" enzymes in rats treated with progesterone. Several enzymes providing lipid precursors (phosphofructokinase, malic enzyme, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, and citrate cleavage enzyme) showed increased specific activity. These changes may represent insulin effects. Specific activity of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, usually associated with control of gluconeogenesis, was also increased. The latter is compatible with increased capability for glycogenesis, which is recognized as a progesterone effect.