THE EFFECT OF SMALL QUANTITIES OF GALACTOSE ON THE HUMAN RESPIRATORY EXCHANGE

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Abstract
The effects on the R.Q. and the total metabolism of the ingestion. of 5-40 gm. galactose were determined on a human subject through 10 15-min. periods by means of an open-circuit respiration apparatus and helmet. The subject had a low tolerance for this sugar, total reducing substances in the urine for approximately 3 hrs. varied from 0.7 to 3.1 gm. after 5 to 40 gm. of galactose. All amts. of galactose caused a rise in the R.Q., the maximum varying from 0.04 with 5 gm. to 0.17 with 40 gm. In the effects on R.Q. this sugar somewhat resembles fructose, although it differs from both fructose and glucose in that there was a fall to below the pre-ingestion level during the latter part of the 21/2 hrs. after ingestion. The rise in apparent carbohydrate combustion was 1.1-12.8 gm., 13-32% of the amt. ingested. The maximum increase in heat production over the base-line level in a 15-min. period varied from 10% with 10 gm. to 18% with 40 gm. The summation of increases in heat production in successive periods varied from 0.6 cal. with 5 gm. to 12.6 cal. with 40 gm. and the specific dynamic action was 3-8%. Galactose resembles fructose in its effects on the R.Q. and carbohydrate combustion and resembles glucose in its effects on the heat production.

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