Metabolic Adaptation of

human body during Starvation

Metabolic profile of major organs, signalling,
.homeostasis , adaptations to starvation

Metabolic functions integration of major body organs

during normal physiological condition

: Normal Physiological condition

Well fed & Healthy subject--
 CHO: 2Hrs
Fats: 4 -5 hrs
Proteins: 4 – 5 hrs
)in general 4 – 5 hrs(

:Phases of starvation-3

,, a/ Interprandial phase (4– 5 hrs) duration

b/Post -absorpative ( over night fasting) phase 12 – 24 hrs
, c/Prolonged fasting phase ( < 24 h)
Biochemical events & metabolic Adaptations: ,,,,,
:…… A/Interprandial Phase
Energy-..
Lack of exogenous supply …-
:Internal body fuel.…-
Circulating fuel.……
Stored fuel .……
 Wt. in Kg energy(K.cal)
Glucose: 0.02 80
Circulating: F.F.A: 0.0003 3

T.G: 0.003 30
113***
B.M.R. (1600 - 6000/ K.cal/day)
80 mint. ****
Stored Fuel:
Muscle glycogen: 0.15 Kg 600 K.cal
Liver: glycogen: 0.075 300 K.cal
Muscle proteins: 6 24000
Adipose fats: 15 141000
165000

Ist priority of metabolism during starvation: is to insure feul

supply for energy (sufficient glucose ) for brain & glucose
dependent tissues.

Body adaptation during interprandial phase:

-Tissues get energy mainly from glucose.
-Tissues get energy from F.A
-Cutoff intestinal supply
Brain:

The primary metabolic challenge is to provide

energy glucose for brain to maintain normal
neuronal cell functions.
Although F.A released from adipose tissues are
plentiful in blood, but brain cannot uses F.A as
metabolic fuel, because F.A cannot cross B.B.B
Hence glucose is only source of fuel

Lack of storage & synthesis of CHO in brain

-Liver glycogen (not muscles) is the only source of
a/Plasma glucose level:
Drop of portal blood glucose
Drop of blood glucose (80/110 - 120 mg/100ml)
Brain & glucose dependent tissues unable to tolerate this drop

b/ Insulin / Glucagon ratio

_ Drop of blood glucose<<<<<<<< Inhibits insulin secretion

.<<<<<<<<<stimulates gulcagon secretion
Both insulin & glucagon act through cAMP

1/Glycogenesis inhibited/ Glycogenolysis enhanced in the liver

2/ Insulin & glucagon both act on adipose tissue : Fats <--- F.FA
(Net result of 1+ 2 new biochemical events during first period of
starvation take place)

As this phase continue ( < 5 hrs) peripheral muscles & adipose tissue
consume less amount of glucose & switch over to F.A as the main
fuel source (sparing glucose)

By 8 - 10 hrs of fasting more than ½ of energy needed by muscles is

met by F.A