“…It probably parallels an increase in circulating blood glucagon since hyperglucagonemia (following exogenous administration of glucagon and observed in spontaneous obesity) induces a drop in glucagon binding to hepatocytes and liver plasma membranes (Bhatena et al, 1978 ;Srikant et aL, 1977). Furthermore, fasting, energy restriction or high-protein diets have been known to increase blood glucagon in different species (Unger, 1972 ;Eisenstein and Strack, 1978 ;Eisenstein et al, 1979 ;Jarrousse et al, .1980 ;Peret et al, 1981 ;Aguilar-Parada et al, 1969 ;Gerich, 1976). The age increment from the controls to the experimental animals cannot explain this since glucagon binding to its liver receptors is unaltered or increased from neonatal to adult rats (Lockwood and East, 1978 ;Basquez et al, 1976 ;Pingoud et al, 19821. Decreased glucagon binding after feeding the experimental diet could not explain the increase in amino acid breakdown observed in such animals (Grizard et al, 1975) (Broer et aL, 1977 ;Fourchereau-Peron et aL, 1976).…”