Role of metabolic feedback regulation in glucose production of running rats.

Hepatic glucose production (Ra) was studied in phlorizin (P)- and saline (C)-infused rats running for 35 min at 21 m/min in the postabsorptive state (series I) or 18 m/min in the fed state (series II). Phlorizin-induced increase in glucose clearance would increase or not affect Ra, depending on whether metabolic feedback mechanisms or central command from central nervous system (CNS), respectively, regulate Ra during exercise. Initial exercise-induced increases in Ra were similar in P and C rats of both series, although glucose clearance was higher and plasma glucose lower, however not hypoglycemic, in P rats. After 5 min of exercise, Ra remained similar in P and C rats in series I, whereas in series II, Ra increased almost twice as much in P compared with C rats. In both series muscle glycogenolysis and lipolysis were higher in P than in C rats. The results suggest a central command regulation of Ra from CNS motor centers and that this primary setting may be modulated by metabolic feedback mechanisms. Hypoglycemia is not needed to activate metabolic feedback. A variety of substrates rather than glucose specifically is mobilized by metabolic feedback mechanisms associated with decreased glucose availability.