Ketogenesis during sepsis in relation to hepatic energy metabolism

Abstract
The concentrations of acetoacetate,β-hydroxybutyrate, and adenine nucleotides, and the mitochondrial phosphorylative activities, induced by cecal ligation and punctured in the liver of septic rats, were determined. The concentrations of glucose, free fatty acids (FFA), and free amino acids in arterial blood were also studied along with ketone body concentrations. Hepatic energy charge levels decreased from 0.84 to 0.77 at 12h after the induction of sepsis (PPPPPPPP<0.05) increased slightly at 18h. It is suggested that the ketogenic capacity of the liver is inhibited during sepsis, but that the liver maintains gluconeogenesis at relatively normal levels until a more advanced stage of sepsis.