Context: Caloric restriction increases liver glucose release (LGR), but it is not known if this is a permanent condition.
Objective: To investigate if refeeding after caloric restriction reverses the high LGR.
Materials and methods: Rats were organised in six-pups litters (GC); 12-pups litters with either 50% caloric restriction from 21 to 80 days of age (GR) or fed at will from 50 to 80 days of age (GRL). Liver perfusion was made at the age of 80 days.
Results: LGR was higher in the GR both during basal and adrenaline-stimulated conditions. Refeeding after caloric restriction decreased it to values close to those of GC rats.
Discussion: The altered LGR of GR rats was reversed by refeeding (group GRL). The influence of hypothalamic neuropetides on these hepatic changes is suggested.
Conclusions: Enhanced LGR under caloric restriction is not programmed by early feeding; instead, it is determined by the current nutritional conditions.
Keywords: Caloric restriction; glucose; large litter; liver metabolism; refeeding.