Increased levels of alanine in serum after fasting suggest
During starvation, muscle proteins are degraded to serve amino acids (especially alanine) as substrates for gluconeogenesis.
Alanine also arises from transamination of pyruvate in the muscles.
Alanine is transported to liver for gluconeogenesis.
Increased release of alanine from muscle
Reduced amino acid utilisation for gluconeogenesis
Break in continuity of plasma membrane resulting in leakage of amino acids
Decreased uptake of alanine by liver