Effect of a meal feeding schedule on hepatic glycogen synthesis and gluconeogenesis in rats

We investigated the effect of a meal feeding schedule (MFS) on food intake, hepatic glycogen synthesis, hepatic capacity to produce glucose and glycem ia in rats. The MFS comprised free access to food for a 2-hour period daily at a fixed mealtime (8.00-10.00 a.m,) for 13 days. The control group was c omposed of rats with free access to food from day 1 to 12, which were then starved for 22 h, refed with a single meal at 8.00-10.00 a.m. and starved a gain for another 22 h, All experiments were performed at the meal time (i.e . 8.00 a.m,), The MFS group exhibited increased food intake and higher glyc ogen synthase activity. Since gluconeogenesis from L-glutamine or L-alanine was not affected by MFS, we conclude that the increased food intake and hi gher glycogen synthase activity contributed to the better glucose maintenan ce showed by MFS rats at the fixed meal time.