THE METABOLISM OF GLUCOSE IN STARVATION AND WATER DEPRIVATION

Abstract
The response of normal young [male] [male] to glucose ingestion was studied after a 6-day fast and after 6 and 8 days of subsistence on 600-700 calories of sugar-fat mixtures plus 400 ml. water/day. Fasting, in addition to producing a diabetic blood sugar curve, glycosuria, and a delay in the rise of the R.Q., had the following effects: the usual rises in blood pyruvate and lactate were delayed and sluggish; the fall in plasma inorganic P was slow and protracted ; urinary P excretion continued undiminished for 2 hrs. ''. or more. The delayed pyruvate and lactate responses imply, in conjunction with other responses, a temporary inhibition of glucose oxidation. Partial starvation and dehydration altered the normal response to glucose by a steeper than usual rise in blood glucose, and a prolonged fall to alarmingly low levels. During the rise of the blood glucose curve the blood pyruvate and lactate levels remained almost stationary, but increased during the declining phase of the blood sugar curve to reach excessively high values. In view of the excessive rises in blood pyruvate and lactate, the hypoglycemic reaction : implies glucose oxidation uncompensated by increased gluco-neogenesis. Addition of thiamine to the restricted diets had no effect on the blood pyruvate, lactate, and glucose responses. Data are presented on urinary thiamine loss during starvation and water deprivation.

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