EFFECTS OF OCTANOIC ACID ON SERUM-LEVELS OF FREE FATTY ACIDS, INSULIN, AND GLUCOSE IN PATIENTS WITH CIRRHOSIS AND IN HEALTHY VOLUNTEERS

Abstract

The effects of intraduodenal infusions of glucose and octanoic acid on the serum-levels of glucose, free fatty acids (F.F.A.), and insulin have been determined in four healthy volunteers and in five patients with cirrhosis. Serum-insulin levels rose in both groups during glucose infusions but the rise was significantly greater when octanoic acid was added. This effect did not seem to be mediated by the serum-glucose because the addition of octanoic acid did not affect this level. Serum-F.F.A. levels fell in both groups but the inclusion of octanoic acid had no effect on the rate of fall of serum-F.F.A.