Oxygen Consumption and Glucose Exchange in Vitro of Liver Slices From Febrile Rabbits

Abstract

The O2 consumption of liver slices taken from rabbits during the onset of fever produced by injn. of typhoid-paratyphoid vaccine is less than that of similar slices from nonfebrile rabbits when the pH of the suspension is 7.4. At pH 7.2 no such depression is found. Liver slices from febrile rabbits release into their suspension medium significantly more glucose than do slices from normal rabbits. The significance of these findings is discussed in relation to the supposed contribution of increased liver calorigenesis to the initial rapid rise in body temp. during the onset of fever. It is concluded that if such an increase in liver metabolism occurs it must be due to unknown factors that are no longer operative in the excised tissue. The early hyperglycemia of fever is at least partly due to release of glucose from the liver. Sympathoadrenal stimulation of the liver at the onset of fever seems adequate to explain this effect.