Permissive Role of Glucose on the Insulinotropic Effect of Ketone Bodies In Vivo[*]

Abstract

Sodium acetoacetate (AcAc) was infused at a constant rate for 60 minutes in 2 groups of normal dogs. In the first group, the resulting hyperketonemia provoked a decrease of 19 mg/100 ml in blood glucose and an overall 40% drop in plasma free fatty acids (FFA) and blood glycerol; a sharp, but transient rise in peripheral and portal venous immunoreactive insulin (IRI) levels was observed. In the second group, a 5% glucose solution was given with the AcAc; normoglycemia was thus maintained and IRI levels remained high throughout the experiment. This indicates that glucose exerts a permissive effect on the insulinotropic action of ketone bodies in vivo.

Key words

Ketone Bodies - Insulin Secretion - Glucose - Free Fatty Acids - Glycerol

1 Presented in part at the 8th Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes, Madrid (September 1972).

1 Presented in part at the 8th Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes, Madrid (September 1972).