THE MODIFYING EFFECT OF NUTRITIONAL INTAKE ON THE POST-TRAUMATIC DEPLETION IN HEPATIC GLYCOGEN IN RATS

  • 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 87  (5) , 539-544
Abstract
Hepatic glycogen levels were measured in rats both on oral food ad lib and where i.v. nutrition was supplied at 0.1, 0.2 and 0.35 kcal/g of body wt per day at 24 and 72 h after injury. While on oral food rats with a closed femoral fracture had a lower level (25 .+-. 6.5 mg/g of liver) than normal (66 .+-. 9.1 mg/g of liver, P < 0.005), 24 h after injury. There was a corresponding rise in blood sugar (161 .+-. 20 .fwdarw. 240 .+-. 23 mg/100 ml, P < 0.005) at 24 h. The food intake fell (23.8 .+-. 1.5 .fwdarw. 16.6 .+-. 2.4 g/day, P < 0.01) during the 1st 24 h after the injury. When i.v. nutrition was given at a caloric level of 0.35 kcal/g per day, hepatic glycogen levels were above normal and there was no difference between injured and noninjured animals. At 0.2 kcal/g per day there was also no difference between injured and noninjured animals, but glycogen levels fell from normal levels (78 .+-. 12.9 mg/g) to lower levels (33 .+-. 11.9 mg/g, P < 0.01) over the 24-72 h period. Low levels of caloric intake (0.1 kcal/g/day) resulted in a fall in glycogen level in both injured and noninjured animals, with the decrease being significantly greater in the injured animals. Maintenance of the caloric intake of rats at normal or high levels via the i.v. route can prevent the depletion of hepatic glycogen produced by a femoral fracture.

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