SERUM CITRIC ACID AFTER INGESTION OF GLUCOSE IN NORMAL AND STARVED SUBJECTS

Abstract

Expts. are reported on the effect of starvation on the fall of serum citric acid after glucose admn. In 10 cases the well-known high and prolonged tolerance curve of starvation diabetes was obtained after one week''s fasting. In these cases no fall was found in the avg. citric acid values, on the contrary a small increase often being encountered. In 2 cases where no significant abnormality of the glucose tolerance curve was found after the starvation period, the serum citric acid decreased as in the normal state. The lack of fall of serum citric acid in starvation diabetes is thought to be connected with the low peripheral glucose utilization found in this state.