Incubation In Glucose-free Medium Research Articles

Knocking down TRPM2 expression reduces cell injury and NLRP3 inflammasome activation in PC12 cells subjected to oxygen-glucose deprivation.

Transient receptor potential melastatin 2 (TRPM2) is an important ion channel that represents a potential target for treating injury caused by cerebral ischemia. However, it is unclear whether reducing TRPM2 expression can help repair cerebral injury, and if so what the mechanism underlying this process involves. This study investigated the protective effect of reducing TRPM2 expression on pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells injured by oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD). PC12 cells were transfected with plasmid encoding TRPM2 shRNAS, then subjected to OGD by incubation in glucose-free medium under hypoxic conditions for 8 hours, after which the cells were allowed to reoxygenate for 24 hours. Apoptotic cells, mitochondrial membrane potentials, reactive oxygen species levels, and cellular calcium levels were detected using flow cytometry. The relative expression of C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CXCL2), NACHT, LRR, and PYD domain-containing protein 3 (NALP3), and caspase-1 were detected using fluorescence-based quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. The rates of apoptosis, mitochondrial membrane potentials, reactive oxygen species levels, and cellular calcium levels in the TRPM2-shRNA + OGD group were lower than those observed in the OGD group. Taken together, these results suggest that TRPM2 knockdown reduces OGD-induced neuronal injury, potentially by inhibiting apoptosis and reducing oxidative stress levels, mitochondrial membrane potentials, intracellular calcium concentrations, and NLRP3 inflammasome activation.

Selected polyphenols potentiate the apoptotic efficacy of glycolytic inhibitors in human acute myeloid leukemia cell lines. Regulation by protein kinase activities.

BackgroundThe glycolysis inhibitor 2-deoxy-d-glucose (2-DG) is a safe, potentially useful anti-tumour drug, but its efficacy is normally low when used alone. Recent studies indicated that 2-DG stimulates the PI3K/Akt and MEK/ERK defensive pathways, which limits the apoptotic efficacy in tumour cell lines. We hypothesized that co-treatment with selected polyphenols could improve 2-DG-provoked apoptosis by preventing defensive kinase activation.MethodsCell proliferation was measured by cell counting or the MTT assay. Cell cycle, apoptosis and necrosis were determined by propidium iodide staining and/or annexin V labeling followed by flow cytometry. Mitochondria pore transition and depolarization were determined by calcein-ATM or rhodamine 123 labeling followed flow cytometry. Intracellular reactive oxygen species and GSH were determined by dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate or monochlorobimane labeling followed by flow cytometry or fluorimetry. Expression and phosphorylation of protein kinases were analyzed by the Western blot.Results(i) 2-DG-provoked apoptosis was greatly potentiated by co-treatment with the sub-lethal concentrations of the flavonoid quercetin in human HL60 acute myeloblastic leukemia cells. Allowing for quantitative differences, apoptosis potentiation was also obtained using NB4 promyelocytic and THP-1 promonocytic cells, using curcumin or genistein instead of quercetin, and using lonidamine instead of 2-DG, but not when 2-DG was substituted by incubation in glucose-free medium. (ii) Quercetin and 2-DG rapidly elicited the opening of mitochondria pore transition, which preceded the trigger of apoptosis. (iii) Treatments did not affect GSH levels, and caused disparate effects on reactive oxygen species generation, which did not match the changes in lethality. (iv) 2-DG and lonidamine stimulated defensive Akt and ERK phosphorylation/activation, while glucose starvation was ineffective. Polyphenols prevented the stimulation of Akt phosphorylation, and in some cases also ERK phosphorylation. In addition, quercetin and 2-DG stimulated GSK-3α,β phosphorylation/inactivation, although with different isoform specificity. The use of pharmacologic inhibitors confirmed the importance of these kinase modifications for apoptosis.ConclusionsThe present in vitro observations suggest that co-treatment with low concentrations of selected polyphenols might represent a manner of improving the poor anti-tumour efficacy of some glycolytic inhibitors, and that apoptosis potentiation may be at least in part explained by the regulation of defensive protein kinase activities.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12935-016-0345-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The von Hippel-Lindau gene product inhibits renal cell apoptosis via Bcl-2-dependent pathways.

Previous studies have reported a protective role for the von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) gene products against pro-apoptotic cellular stresses, but the mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we examined the role of VHL in renal cells subjected to chemical hypoxia, using four VHL-negative and two VHL-positive cell lines. VHL-negative renal carcinoma cells underwent apoptosis following chemical hypoxia (short-term glucose deprivation and antimycin treatment), as evidenced by morphologic changes and internucleosomal DNA cleavage. Reintroduction of VHL expression prevented this apoptosis. VHL-negative cells displayed a significant (greater than 5-fold) activation of caspase 9 and release of cytochrome c into the cytosol following chemical hypoxia. In contrast, VHL-positive cells showed minimal caspase 9 activation, and absence of cytochrome c release under the same conditions. Caspase 8 was only minimally activated in both VHL-negative and -positive cells. In addition, VHL-positive cells displayed a striking up-regulation of Bcl-2 expression (5-fold) following chemical hypoxia. Antisense oligonucleotides to Bcl-2 significantly down-regulated Bcl-2 protein expression in VHL-positive cells and rendered them sensitive to apoptosis. Overexpression of Bcl-2 in VHL-negative cells conferred resistance to apoptosis. Our results suggest that VHL protects renal cells from apoptosis via Bcl-2-dependent pathways.

Troglitazone and vascular reactivity: Role of glucose and calcium

We sought to determine whether insulin/insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and an insulin-sensitizing agent, troglitazone, have additive vasodilatory effects and the possible involvement of intracellular Ca 2+ ([Ca 2+] i) and/or glucose utilization in these effects. Contractile responses to norepinephrine (NE) and potassium chloride (KCl), as well as relaxation to endothelium-dependent (acetylcholine [Ach]) and -independent (sodium nitroprusside [NaNP]) agents, were examined in rat tail artery rings in the presence of insulin/IGF-1 and/or troglitazone. Endothelium-intact tail artery rings stretched to 1 g tension were preincubated with troglitazone (3 μmol/L) and/or insulin-IGF-1 (100 nmol/L) prior to addition of graded doses of NE and KCl. A 90-minute exposure to troglitazone attenuated the maximal contraction to graded doses of NE and KCl ( P < .0001). Incubation in glucose-free medium decreased the responses only to NE; troglitazone further attenuated the NE-induced contraction ( P = .001). In submaximally precontracted endothelium-intact rings, troglitazone increased the relaxation both to NaNP ( P < .0001) and to Ach ( P = .001). Contraction experiments in depolarizing KCl (25 mmol/L) or Ca 2+-free buffer showed that troglitazone and insulin have a similar Ca 2+ dependency. In conclusion, troglitazone, like insulin/IGF-1, attenuates responses to vasoactive agonists through a Ca 2+-dependent mechanism that may require the presence of glucose but is independent of insulin action and nitric oxide (NO) production.

Cytoprotection of kidney epithelial cells by compounds that target amino acid gated chloride channels

Glycine, strychnine and certain chloride channel blockers were reported to protect cells against lethal cell injury. These effects have been attributed to interactions with membrane proteins related to CNS glycine gated chloride channel receptors. We have investigated the pharmacology of these actions. Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) epithelial cells were depleted of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) by incubation in glucose free medium containing a mitochondrial uncoupler. Medium Ca2+ was adjusted to 100 nM in the presence of an ionophore such that intracellular Ca2+ did not increase, and Ca(2+)-related injury mechanisms were inhibited. This permitted more sensitive quantitation of protection against cell injury attributable to glycine or other agents whose actions might be related to those of the amino acid. Two classes of compounds showed cytoprotective activity in this system: (1) ligands at chloride channel receptors, such as glycine, strychnine and avermectin B1a; (2) chloride channel blockers, including cyanotriphenylboron and niflumic acid, both of which are known to bind to channel domains of CNS glycine receptors. Morphological and functional studies showed that the compounds preserved plasma membrane integrity, but permitted cell swelling. Substitution of medium chloride by gluconate, or chloride salts by sucrose, did not substantially modify lethal damage or its prevention by glycine or other drugs. The compounds did not modify ATP declines. At least for some compounds, cytoprotection appeared to be specific to structural features on the molecules. These observations are consistent with the hypothesis that a plasma membrane protein related to glycine-gated chloride channel receptors plays a significant role in cell injury, but indicate that the mechanisms of injury and protection by compounds active in this system are not related to chloride fluxes.

Characterization of glucose transport in preimplantation mouse embryos

Membrane transport of glucose divorced from metabolism, was analysed in 2-cell embryos, morulae and blastocysts in the preimplantation mouse. A non-metabolizable radiolabelled analogue, 3,0 methyl D-glucose (3OMG) was used, and glucose was used as well in morulae and blastocysts; incubation times were < or = 5 min. Uptake occurred by combination of a non-saturable process, resistant to cytochalasin-B, and a facilitated process exhibiting classic Michaelis-Menten kinetics. The rate constant for the non-saturable component increased from 1.22 +/- 0.12 pL embryo-1 min-1 in 2-cell embryos to 2.08 +/- 0.44 pL embryo-1 min-1 in blastocysts, determined using 3OMG. The Km values of the saturable component for 3OMG at 22 degrees C were relatively constant at about 6.5 mM in 2-cell embryos, morulae and blastocysts. At 37 degrees C, the Km increased from 6 mM in 2-cell embryos to 17 mM in blastocysts. Vmax increased about five-fold during development from the 2-cell stage to the morula stage and about three-fold during development to the blastocyst. The Km values for glucose in morulae and blastocysts were constant at about 1.3 mM at 37 degrees C. Uptake of 3OMG in blastocysts was inhibited by glucose and stimulated by incubation in glucose-free medium. There was no kinetic evidence for the participation of multiple saturable components in uptake by blastocysts or morulae. This supports the observation that the glucose transporter GLUT2, which is first expressed at the 8-cell stage to supplement GLUT1 expressed in the oocyte, does not contribute to the uptake of environmental glucose and is, therefore, probably restricted in expression to abcoelic membrane areas of the trophectoderm. Together with the known values of glucose in uterine fluid, the kinetic data indicate that most glucose enters the trophectoderm by this GLUT1 at a rate which directly reflects the external glucose concentrations. The activity increased on a cellular basis as development proceeded, suggesting increased activity to meet the increasing metabolic requirements of the blastocyst for glucose.

The role of pyruvate in neuronal calcium homeostasis. Effects on intracellular calcium pools.

It has long been known that pyruvate is essential for survival of prenatal neurons in culture. To understand the role of exogenous pyruvate in neuronal calcium homeostasis, we have investigated the effects of pyruvate (plus malate) addition to dissociated adult rat hippocampal and cerebral cortex cells and cultured CNS neurons having an unrestricted glucose supply. We found that pyruvate (plus malate) increased the respiration rate while ATP levels were unchanged. At the same time, cytosolic free calcium concentrations, [Ca2+]i, decreased while total 45Ca2+ and 40Ca2+ accumulation increased. The extra Ca2+ accumulated by the cells is attributable to an increase in the size of the intracellular calcium pools. Two such pools were identified on the basis of their sensitivity to specific drugs. The first pool was mobilized by thapsigargin plus tert-butyl hydroquinone and caffeine while the second pool was discharged by the mitochondrial uncoupler carbonyl cyanide p-trifluoromethoxphenylhydrazone (FCCP) (plus oligomycin). The two pools represented about 15-20% and 15-30%, respectively, of the rapidly exchangeable 45Ca2+ pools in cerebral cortex cells. In cultured hippocampal neurons, the collapse of the mitochondrial membrane potential (as induced by uncouplers (FCCP) or respiratory chain inhibitors (antimycin) caused a large increase in [Ca2+]i which varied in size and shape among cells and was reduced by external Ca2+ chelation. The latter condition also resulted in a partial discharge of FCCP-releasable 45Ca2+. The effects of FCCP did not result simply from ATP depletion since incubation in glucose-free medium and sequential additions of 2 mM deoxyglucose and 10 microM oligomycin, conditions that led to a dramatic reduction in cellular ATP levels, did not abolish the FCCP-induced [Ca2+]i rise. Taken together, the results indicate that mitochondria harbor a significant proportion of cellular Ca2+. The sensitivity of the mitochondrial pool size to pyruvate (plus malate) questions previous hypotheses concerning a kinetic limitation for Ca2+ accumulation in mitochondria in resting neurons.

The role of glycogenin in glycogen synthesis and non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus.

The principal defect in the majority of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) patients is impaired glycogenesis in skeletal muscle in response to insulin. Glycogen synthesis is initiated by transfer of glucosyl residues to the tyrosine OH at position 194 of a 37KD primer protein named glycogenin (1,2). While the enzymatic details of the first glucose addition have not yet been determined, addition of the next 8 or 9 glucose residues is autocatalytic. Subsequent elongation of this product by an enzyme named proglycogen synthase, yields an intermediate (proglycogen, M.W. 400,000) that is subsequently enlarged some 25-fold to mature glycogen of M.W. lo7 by glycogen synthase (3). Cultured quail skeletal muscle cells, starved of glucose by incubation in glucose-free medium overnight, contained very little glycogen, (Table 1) that was principally in the form of proglycogen. Following transfer to hyperglycemic medium (25 mM glucose), the glycogen content increased several hundred-fold within 4 hrs. This increase was stimulated by insulin (Table 1). The insulin effect was not observed when the cells were pretreated for 2 hrs with dexamethasone (1 pM). Glucocorticoids also block insulin stimulation in skeletal muscle in vivQ (4).

Effect of chronic underfeeding on uterine glycogen of rats. Influence of indomethacin and nordihydroguaiaretic acid

Glycogen values in uterine strips isolated from normal-fed estrous or diestrous rats, or from rats fed a restricted diet (50% of normal food intake for 25 days) were measured. Determinations were made immediately after killing (0 time or post-isolation) as well as after incubation in glucose-free medium (60 min time or post-incubation). The post-incubation levels of glycogen in the uteri from normal-fed animals diminished significantly in comparison to post-isolation values, and this decrement was not modified by the addition of indomethacin, nordihydroguaiaretic acid or exogenous prostaglandins E 1, E 2 or F 2α. In rats fed a restricted-diet, the initial glycogen values (0 time) were significantly lower than in normal-fed controls, but did not decline further after incubation in glucose-free medium (60 min time). The addition of indomethacin, acetylsalicylic acid or of nordihydroguaiaretic acid led to a significant fall in the glycogen levels, and exogenous PGE 1, PGE 2 or PGF 2α failed to alter the effects of the inhibitors. The values of PGE and PGF prostaglandins release to the medium by the uterus from restricted-diet rats did not differ from those obtained in the experiments with normal-fed animals. Administration of 17-β estradiol to restricted-diet rats led to suppression of the effects of this diet on the glycogen concentration. The above results indicate that in rats subjected to a prolonged period of dietary restriction, the uterine glycogen becomes responsive to the effects of cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase inhibitors, suggesting the operation of some regulatory mechanism during critical periods of nutrition.

Effect of dietary restriction on triglyceride levels in the uterus isolated from pregnant rats. Influences of prostaglandins and indomethacin

Triglyceride (TGs) concentrations in uterine strips isolated from 14 or from 21 days-pregnant rats, either normal-fed or following a restricted-diet rats (50% food intake for 14 days), were measured. Determinations were made immediately after killing (0 min time or post-isolation) as well as after a period of incubation in glucose-free medium (60 min time or post-incubation). The post-isolation levels of TGs (0 min) in the uterus from normal-fed animals at 14 or at 21 days of pregnancy, were significantly higher in implantation sites than in the interembryonic segments. These values of TGs (0 time) did not change, in comparison to post-incubation concentrations (60 min), either without additions or in the presence of indomethacin (5 × 10 −6 M) or of prostaglandins (PGs) E 1, E 2 or F 2α (10 −7 M). At 0 time, uterine TGs of rats subjected to dietary restriction, increased as pregnancy progressed, more than in normal-fed controls. The post-incubation (60 min) pattern was different depending on the days of pregnancy; i.e. at 14 days, incubation in Krebs-Ringer Bicarbonate-medium (KRB) led to a significant fall unaffected by the addition of propranolol (10 −6 M). However, in the presence of indomethacin, TGs values had a level similar to the initial one (0 time). Furthermore, exogenous PGE 1 or PGE 2 failed to alter the effect of indomethacin, as PGF 2α did. In the group of pregnant rats at term, fed a restricted-diet for 14 days prior to delivery, the initial values remained unaltered at the end of the incubation period without additions, and did not decline in the presence of indomethacin, either alone or plus PGE 1, PGE 2 or PGF 2α. The addition of nordihydroguaiaretic acid did not alter TGs levels, and the same was the case when alpha-adrenergic blockers, namely phentolamine (10 −6 M) or yohimbine (5 × 10 −6 M) were added. At 6 days post-partum, isolated uteri from normal-fed rats exhibited TGs levels similar to controls (0 time), after 60 min of incubation in glucose-free KRB-medium, with or without indomethacin addition. On the contrary, 6 days after parturition, the levels of TGs in uteri from restricted-diet rats declined significantly after 60 min of incubation. The results suggest an interesting relationship between dietary restriction in pregnancy and uterine lipid metabolism, as reflected by uterine tissue TGs levels.

Broad specificity hexose transport system with differential mobility of loaded and empty carrier, but directional symmetry, is common property of mammalian cell lines.

Rapid kinetic techniques were employed to measure the transport of the nonmetabolizable hexose, 3-O-methyl-D-glucose, in suspensions of human HeLa cells, mouse L- and P388 leukemia cells, and Chinese hamster ovary cells in zero-trans entry and exit and equilibrium exchange procedures. The kinetic parameters of transport were computed by fitting appropriate integrated rate equations to time courses of transmembrane equilibration of radiolabeled substrate. Transport of all four lines, as in Novikoff rat hepatoma cells, conformed to a simple carrier model with directional symmetry but differential mobility of loaded and empty carrier. As was apparent from a comparison of influx and exchange flux, the loaded carrier of all cell types moved between 4 and 14 times faster than the empty carrier. ATP depletion of the cells by incubation in glucose-free medium containing KCN and iodoacetate had no significant effect on the kinetic properties of the transporter. ATP-depleted cells were used to measure the transport of D-glucose, 2-deoxyglucose, D-galactose, and D-glucosamine in the absence of intracellular metabolism. The differential mobilities of empty carrier and carrier loaded with these hexoses and the efficiency of their transport were equivalent to those observed with 3-O-methylglucose, but the Michaelis-Menten constants for the transport of D-galactose and D-glucosamine were 5-8-fold higher than those for D-glucose, 2-deoxy-D-glucose, and 3-O-methylglucose, which were about equivalent.

The metabolic requirements for transcellular movement and secretion of collagen.

Cultures of chick tendon fibroblasts were capable of normal ATP production and protein synthetic activity even though the normally high rate of glycolysis was markedly reduced by substitution of pyruvate for glucose. Iodoacetate and 2-deoxyglucose reduced ATP levels and protein synthesis even in the presence of pyruvate. Under these conditions, both inhibitors were shown to have effects on the energy metabolism of cells which were apparently unrelated to an inhibition of glycolysis. Selective inhibition of either glycolysis, by incubation in glucose-free medium, or of oxidative phosphorylation, by incubation with an uncoupler, was shown to have little effect on cellular ATP levels or intracellular transport and secretion of collagen. However, inhibition of both glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation resulted in decreased cellular ATP levels and an inhibition of collagen secretion. This effect was not due to a requirement for continued protein synthesis, since inhibition of protein synthesis with cycloheximide or puromycin had little effect on collagen secretion. The ATP requirement for intracellular transport and secretion is discussed in relation to the secretory pathway for collagen.

Induction of sugar transport in chick embryo fibroblasts by hexose starvation. Evidence for transcriptional regulation of transport

Incubation of chick embryo fibroblasts in glucose-free medium resulted in a dramatic increase in the rate of 2-deoxy-D-glucose transport. The greatest increase in rate occurred during the first 20 hours of incubation in glucose-free medium and was blocked by actinomycin D, dordycepin, or cycloheximide. The conditions of 2-deoxy-D-glucose concentration and time of incubation with the sugar were determined where transport rather than phosphorylation was rate-limiting in sugar uptake. These studies demonstrated that the transport of 2-deoxy-D-glucose was rate-limiting for only 1 or 2 min when the concentration of sugar in the medium was near the Km for transport, i.e. 2mM. No difference was found in the level of hexokinase activity in homogenates prepared from cells incubated glucose-free medium or standard medium when either 2-deoxy-D-[14C]glucose or D-glucose was used as substrate. A kinetic analysis of the initial rates of 2-deoxy-D-glucose transport by Lineweaver-Burk plots showed that the Vmax for sugar transport increased from 18 to 95 nmol per mg of protein per min when fibroblasts were incubated in glucose-free medium for 40 hours. The Km remained constant at 2 mM. Analysis of the initial rates of 3-omicron-methyl-D-glucose transport by Lineweaver-Burk plots further substantiated that the increase in sugar transport was due to an increase in the Vmax for transport with the Km remaining constant. The activation energy for the transport reaction calculated from an Arrhenius plot was 17.4 Cal per mol for cells cultured in the standard medium and 17.2 Cal per mol for cells cultured in the glucose-free medium. These results are consistent with the interpretation that the Vmax increase observed in hexose-starved cells is due to an increase in the number of transport sites.

The effects of substrates on contractility of isolated human atria.

SummaryIsolated strips cut from the right atrial appendage of 7- to 10-year-old patients undergoing cardiac surgery were placed in Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate medium at 37° and stimulated at 70 pulses per min. If the medium contained 5.5 mM glucose as substrate, the force of contraction declined rapidly. Contractility could be maintained at a constant level for 6 hr with 20 mM glucose. The optimal concentration of glucose, however, was 30 mM. Equilibration of atria in 30 mM glucose was followed by incubation in glucose-free medium for 30 min in another series and resulted in a marked fall in contractility. Introduction of 30 mM glucose or pyruvate resulted in a prompt and complete restoration of contractile force to control levels. Fructose, lactate, or acetate, also at 30 mM, restored the force only partially.

Aerobic and anaerobic metabolism of larval and adult Taenia taeniaeformis. II. Hexose leakage and absorption; tissue glucose and polysaccharides

Larval Taenia taeniaeformis leak both aerobically and anaerobically considerably larger amounts of glucose than adults. In larvae, the transition from glucose leakage to absorption takes place only when the concentration in external glucose concentration reaches a level of 100–200 mg%, while adult worms can extract large amounts of glucose from media containing initially only 12.5 mg% glucose. Comparison of determinations made by means of the glucose oxidase and the Hagedorn-Jensen techniques showed satisfactory agreement, proving that glucose, from a quantitative standpoint, is the most important carbohydrate leaked, although smaller amounts of nonglucose carbohydrates also are eliminated. The presence of galactose, mannose, or fructose in the medium does not prevent the glucose leakage, but can modify it. Hypotonie media do not induce increased glucose leakage, but maintaining adult worms in a sodium-free Tyrode solution increases the leakage to very high levels. However, there was no indication that, under the experimental conditions chosen, a glucose leakage against a concentration gradient occurred. Glucose absorption of adult worms is independent of the glucose concentration within the range of concentrations tested (initial concentrations: 12.5–200 mg%). Galactose absorption, however, is correlated with the concentration provided in the medium. Larval worms consume, in addition to large amounts of glucose and galactose, small amounts of mannose and probably fructose. There was no indication that adult worms absorb fructose, while the observations concerning mannose absorption were equivocal. Glucose consumption by adult worms is fairly independent of the osmolarity of the medium but is completely inhibited in a Na-free Tyrode solution. Phloridzin inhibits glucose absorption almost completely. Glucose absorption takes place against a concentration gradient. All observations are in accord with the assumption that glucose absorption by adult worms involves active transport mechanisms. It is not known whether the same situation prevails in larvae. Adult worms contain somewhat more free glucose in their tissues than the larvae. The glucose content of the adults increased during incubation in glucose-free medium, but much more during maintenance in glucose-containing media. No corresponding increase occurred in a Na-free solution, or when the medium contained phloridzin. The alkali-stable polysaccharides of both adult and larval worms are essentially glucose polymers with a small admixture of a substance that yields glucosamine and N-acetyl-glucosamine upon hydrolysis. Little indication of large scale glycogen synthesis was observed in adult worms incubated in various media, but glucose in the medium definitely has a sparing action on the polysaccharide stores.