Reduced insulin secretion after short-term food deprivation in rats plays a key role in the adaptive interaction of glucose and free fatty acid utilization.

The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of short-term fasting periods up to 24 hr on insulin secretory responses of the B-cell to glucose and the consequences for FFA and glucose availability in the circulation. Conscious male rats provided with permanently implanted heart catheters received glucose infusions at midday, lasting for 20 min, in the nearly ad lib condition (i.e., 6 hr of non feeding during daytime) and after extending the fasting period to 12, 18 and 24 hr. Basal preinfusion insulin levels and insulin responses to glucose decreased gradually during these fasting periods. Basal blood glucose dropped only significantly after 24 hr of fasting whereas basal FFA levels increased gradually from 6 hr of fasting onwards. After prolonged fasting insulin released during glucose infusion became more effective in suppressing plasma FFA levels. While our data suggest that the sensitivity to the antilipolytic action of insulin is increased, the decreased responsiveness of the B-cell after moderate fasting periods may result in a drop of basal insulin levels. This facilitates the switch from glucose to FFA metabolism for most tissues already, when the first meals are missed. The results suggest that this physiological process is important to save the glycogen stores as long as possible as fuel for the central nervous system, and also to support basic energy requiring processes adequately.