Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 25, 2026

A Zebrafish Model of Diabetes Mellitus and Metabolic Memory
Published on: February 28, 2013
Starvation-induced impairment of metabolism in a freshwater catfish
Ghanshyam Tripathi1, Priyanka Verma
1Department of Zoology, J. N. V. University, Jodhpur-342001, India. drgst@rediffmail.com
Abstract:
Starvation induced changes in citrate synthase (CS), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6-PDH), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), DNA, RNA, RNA/DNA ratio and protein were studied in the freshwater catfish Clarias batrachus. Starvation gradually decreased the activity of CS, G6-PDH and LDH in brain, liver and skeletal muscle of the freshwater catfish. The maximum reduction in these enzyme activities upto 35-45% was observed after 35 days of fasting. This shows substantial decline in aerobic and biosynthetic capacity during starvation period. DNA, RNA, RNA/DNA ratio and protein contents were also reduced from 40-67% which reflects reduction in an overall capacity of the protein synthesis. Starvation-induced macromolecular changes indicate impairment of metabolism in fish.
Related Concept Videos
Overview of Protein Metabolism
Amino acids play various roles in the body once they are absorbed into cells. They are restructured...
Metabolic States of the Body: The Postabsorptive State
Initially, glycogen stored in the liver is broken down to release glucose into the bloodstream, while glycogen in the muscles is broken down to supply glucose for energy directly within the muscle cells. As glycogen stores diminish,...
Metabolic States of the Body: Fasting and Starvation

