Glucose kinetics in protein depletion—Effects of infusion of lipid emulsions containing medium chain (MCT) and long chain triglycerides (LCT)

Abstract

Glucose turnover was determined in normal and protein-malnourished fasted rats before and during a 2 h infusion of lipid emulsion containing either 10% LCT or 5% MCT 5% LCT . Basal fasting plasma glucose and insulin concentrations and rate of glucose appearance (Ra) were decreased and non-esterified fatty-acid and ketone body concentrations were increased in the protein-depleted animals. In both groups of rats glucose and insulin concentrations and glucose kinetics were unaffected by either emulsion despite an increase in non-esterified fatty-acid concentration. Ketone body concentrations were higher in the protein-depleted rats, but neither MCT LCT or LCT infusion altered ketone body levels. These results suggest that MCT LCT or LCT based emulsions do not adversely affect glucose kinetics in either malnourished or control fasted rats.