Investigating the roles of laforin and malin in glycogen metabolism following fasting and re-feeding in rats.

This thesis was an investigation of laforin, malin, and AMPK and the possible relationships these proteins share with glycogen content. Rats underwent a 24 h fast followed by a 24 h re-feed after which the rectus femoris and a portion of the liver were removed to examine both tissues. Liver glycogen was significantly decreased with 24 h fasting unlike muscle glycogen which remained relatively unchanged. After 24 h re-feeding, significant supercompensation was seen in both muscle and liver glycogen. All quantified proteins for both tissues remained unchanged with the exception of laforin in liver after the 24 h re-feed which was significantly decreased. This finding does not support previous findings that report laforin protein content and glycogen concentration are closely associated.