Sucrose Infusion Research Articles

Body composition at sea level and high altitudes.

Simultaneous determinations of total body water and extracellular fluid, using the antipyrine and sucrose infusion methods, have been carried out in 28 adult male residents at sea level and in 28 residents at an altitude of 14,900 ft. Body composition was calculated from these data. The various body spaces, expressed in percentage of body weight, were similar in the two groups, with the exception of the extracellular fluid which was greater in those in the high altitude group ( P < 0.01). Neither racial characteristics nor altitude appear to be factors generally affecting body composition. In individuals having adequate caloric intake body composition seems to be influenced principally by physical activity. In fact, physical inactivity appeared to produce a loss of active tissue and its replacement by fat. Submitted on November 2, 1960

Effect of electrolyte disturbances in the pregnant rabbit on the fetus.

The possibility that the placenta may protect the fetus against electrolyte disturbances in the mother was investigated in rabbits. Hyperosmolarity of the blood of the doe was induced with intravenous infusions of hypertonic sucrose. The osmotic pressure of the fetal blood approximated that of the mother within an hour and possibly considerably sooner. Acidosis was induced with ammonium chloride. The maternal plasma chlorides were in creased for roughly 3 hours before the fetal chlorides showed similar increases. However, after prolonged acidosis the fetal electrolyte changes paralleled the maternal with a lowered ph and CO2 content and elevated plasma chlorides.

REVERSAL OF FATIGUE IN THE ADRENALECTOMIZED RAT BY GLUCOSE AND OTHER AGENTS1

THE RAT loses its ability to perform a normal amount of work within a few hours after its adrenal cortices are removed (I). The ability to work can be partially restored by treatment with certain of the secretory products of the adrenal cortex (2, 3). The purpose of this study was to investigate the reversibility of the fatigue of the adrenalectomised rat under certain conditions by treatment with substances regulated by adrenal cortical hormones and especially to compare the efficacy of intravenous infusions of glucose, sucrose and sodium chloride solutions at equivalent isomolar concentrations. The results emphasize the apparently greater importance of changes in carbohydrate metabolism rather than in electrolyte metabolism in so far as the ability of the adrenalectomized rat to perform muscular work is concerned under the conditions of these experiments. The animals used in these experiments were male rats of the Sprague-Dawley strain having a body weight of 180±2 gm. Purina Dog Chow was used as a main...