The depletion of liver glycogen in puromycin-treated animals

Abstract

Mice and rats receiving puromycin dihydrochloride intraperitoneally (6.0 and 60 mg. per animal, respectively) in four equally divided doses over a 4-hr, period showed complete depletion of hepatic glycogen and inhibition of incorporation of glycine-C 14 into liver protein. Administration of a single dose of puromycin to mice was followed by rapid inhibition of synthesis of liver protein with concurrent loss of glycogen from the liver. Carbohydrate levels in liver, blood, and muscle were followed in mice up to 4 hr. after a single injection of puromycin. The decrease in liver glycogen was accompanied by an increase in blood sugar levels while muscle glycogen content was not appreciably affected during this period.