Early effects of ‘total’ pancreatectomy on fat metabolism in the rat

Abstract

Within 2 hours after ‘total’ pancreatectomy in fasting rats blood concentrations of glucose, ketone bodies and total lipids were significantly elevated. Blood ketone bodies and total lipids increased before the blood glucose reached diabetic levels. The increase in blood lipids was due largely to triglycerides and was accompanied by accumulation of fat in the liver and kidneys. When depleted of body fat prior to surgery, pancreatectomized rats did not develop ketosis, hyperlipemia or fatty liver and kidneys. Repeated injections of insulin started immediately after pancreatectomy prevented development of diabetes. When insulin was given for the first time 1 day after pancreatectomy, blood glucose, ketone bodies and fats were lowered to normal fasting levels within 3 hours; 2 days after pancreatectomy, blood glucose and fats were reduced to normal levels whereas the ketonemia, although somewhat decreased, remained high. The rapid changes in blood ketone bodies are interpreted as evidence of a direct insulin action on liver. The decreased insulin effect on ketonemia in rats deprived of insulin for 2 days may indicate development of hepatic resistance to insulin.