Physiological and behavioral responses to glucoprivation in the golden hamster

Golden hamsters failed to increase their food intake following food deprivation alone or in combination with insulin or 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2DG) treatment. 2DG also failed to induce feeding in hamsters tested at night. In this latter experiment, there was no effect of 2DG on wheel running or general alertness. Insulin administration significantly decreased plasma levels of glucose and free fatty acids (FFA). 2DG treatment produced a dose-related hyperglycemia associated with increased ketone levels. These data are discussed in terms of cerebral energy status and its relation to food intake and physiological responses.