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1. Little information is currently available on protein turnover during chronic protein loss situations. We have thus measured the whole-body and tissue protein fractional synthesis rates (k_s), the whole-body fractional protein degradation rate (k_d), the capacity for protein synthesis (C_s) and the efficiency of protein synthesis (k_RNA) in vivo in fed and fasted (1, 5 and about 9 days) 400 g rats.

2. One day of starvation resulted in a reduced k_s and an increased k_d in the whole body. k_s was selectively depressed in skeletal muscles, mainly owing to a reduced k_RNA, and was not modified in heart, liver and skin. The contribution of skin to whole-body protein synthesis increased by 39%.

3. During the phase of protein sparing (5 days of fasting), k_d in the whole body decreased below the control fed level. k_s in skeletal muscles was sustained because k_RNA was restored to 82–98% of the control value.

4. Rats were …