THE INFLUENCE OF GLUCOSE AND OF FRUCTOSE ON THE EFFECTIVE DEAD SPACE IN HUMAN RESPIRATION

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Abstract
The effective dead space in breathing was calculated from the alveolar air, the respiration rate, the respiratory exchange and the total ventilation in exps. with an exceptionally well-trained subject. The exps. were of 3 groups: (1) post-absorptive; (2) before and after the ingestion of 25 gm. glucose; and (3) before and after ingestion of 25 gm. fructose. The CO2 dead space averaged 47% of the vol. per respiration and did not vary widely in the different groups of exps. The O2 dead space averaged close to the CO2 dead space and showed about the same range of variations as the CO2 dead space. The use of a constant percentage of the vol. per respiration as dead space for the calculation of alveolar CO2 gave values which agreed more consistently with the values directly determined than those calculated by the use of a constant vol. of dead space. This finding makes it feasible to calculate the alveolar CO2 in previous studies with the same subject on the effect of sugars on the respiratory exchange.