Metabolic Effects of Adrenalectomy in Eviscerated Rats

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Abstract
Sprague Dawley rats were adrenalectomized (Adx) and then eviscerated (Evs) 4 days later. Various surgical procedures were used during the evisceration to preserve or eliminate liver and/or kidney function. Non-Adx Evs rats were used as controls for each group. Abdominal aortic blood was used to measure: blood glucose (BG), urea nitrogen (BUN), ketone bodies (KB), plasma free fatty acids (FFA) and amino nitrogen (AN), 3-72 h after evisceration. All eviscerated rats lacked insulin and with the liver in situ could maintain a hyperglycemia if the adrenals were present. Adx Evs rats did not develop this diabetic pattern. Non Adx rats without a functional liver could sustain 80% of normal BG if the kidneys were in situ but Adx Evs rats required the liver as well. In the absence of the kidneys, protein metabolites were accumulated in the blood in both Adx and non Adx Evs animals. FFA elevations occurred in the Adx-Evs animal but were markedly lower than in the non-Adx preparation. The absence of insulin partially overrides the effect of Adx on this parameter.