The influence of chronic uremia on hepatic glycogen in the rat

Long term maintenance of male Wistar rats following sub-total nephrectomy has been shown to alter carbohydrate metabolism. These rats frequently became hypoglycemic and concurrently demonstrated increased hepatic glycogen stores. Chemical analysis of glycogen revealed a significant increase in branching, with a concomitant decrease in glucose residues per segment. The influence of food intake and glycosuria are discussed. Decreased glycogen autolysis is attributed to increased glycogen branching in the uremic liver.