Glucose tolerance and blood metabolite changes in galactosamine hepatitis and obstructive jaundice in the rat.

Abstract

Abstract. Glucose tolerance and blood metabolite changes have been measured in starved rats either 24 h after D (+)‐galactosamine treatment or 9 days after bile duct ligation. In galactosamine‐treated rats (0.5 g/kg) there was enhanced glucose removal after intravenous glucose (1 g/kg) and hyper‐insulinism in the early part of the test. Fasting blood lactate and pyruvate concentrations were elevated in galactosamine‐treated rats (1 g/kg) and there was a greatly accentuated rise in blood lactate concentration after intravenous glucose (2.20 ±0.16 compared to 0.90 ± 0.23 mM), suggesting decreased gluconeogeneaia. Nine days after bile duct ligation there was enhanced glucose removal after intravenous glucose when compared to controls. Lactate and pyruvate concentrations were transiently elevated after intravenous glucose in the ligated rats consistent with the increased rate of glucose removal. Fasting ketone bodies were decreased in the ligated rats (2.87 ± 0.40 compared to 6.50 ± 0.87 mM) due to diminished fat stores and this decreased ketosis probably results in glucose removal comparable to that seen in fed rats.