500
Briefly describe the 3 phases of protein depletion during starvation (including basic summary of ketone body formation and utilization).
1. Initial rapid protein depletion - caused by the use of easily mobilized protein for direct metabolism or for conversion to glucose and then metabolism of glucose mainly by the brain.
2. Greatly slowed protein depletion - after the readily mobilized protein stores have been depleted during the early phase of starvation, the remaining protein is not so easily removed. At this time, the rate of gluconeogenesis decreases to ~1/4 its previous rate, and the rate of depletion of protein becomes greatly decreased.
(*Ketone Bodies - The lessened availability of glucose then initiates a series of events that leads to excessive fat utilization and conversion of some of the fat breakdown products to ketone bodies, producing the state of ketosis.
The ketone bodies, like glucose, can cross the blood-brain barrier and can be used by the brain cells for energy. Therefore, about two thirds of the brain's energy is now derived from these ketone bodies, principally from beta-hydroxybutyrate. This sequence of events leads to at least partial preservation of the protein stores of the body.)
3. Final (pre-death) rapid protein depletion - when the fat stores are almost depleted, and the only remaining source of energy is protein, the protein stores once again enter a stage of rapid depletion. Because proteins are also essential for the maintenance of cellular function, death ordinarily ensues when the proteins of the body have been depleted to about half their normal level.