Induction of hepatic glycogen synthesis by glucocorticoids is not mediated by insulin.

Administration of 0.1 or 1 mg of prednisolone to fed mice caused a 5-fold activation of glycogen synthase in the liver after 3h, without significant changes in the circulating levels of glucose or insulin, or the hepatic concentration of cyclic AMP. Adrenalectomized fasted rats responded to cortisol (10 mg) with an increased glycaemia and a progressive activation of hepatic glycogen synthase after 2-4 h. but without an increase in the very low insulinaemia. These results are incompatible with the prevailing hypothesis that glucocorticoids provoke hepatic glycogen synthesis through an extra secretion of insulin. It is discussed that the acute effect of glucocorticoids is to inhibit rather than stimulate the release of insulin.