Application of the Galactose Tolerance Test for the Early Diagnosis of Fatty Liver in Human Alcoholics

Abstract

Intravenous galactose tolerance tests with and without an alcohol load have been used to study the liver function of fifteen healthy persons and twelve chronic alcoholics whose diet has for long periods been inadequate. The results are related to other liver function tests and to the microscopic appearance of liver biopsy specimens. In patients with normal liver function the T 1/2 value for galactose without ethanol averages 12.7 minutes, with a standard deviation of ± 2.5 minutes. The mean prolongation of the T 1/2 value induced by ethanol was 28.5 ± 5.0 (S.D.) minutes. All but one of the alcoholics had typical fatty infiltration of the liver. The breakdown of galactose without ethanol was equal to that of normal persons. In sharp contrast to the controls, however, the previous ethanol load did not influence the galactose elimination rate in these patients with fatty livers. It is concluded that fatty liver should always be suspected when the ethanol-induced prolongation of the T 1/2 value for galactose remains below 17 minutes. All other liver function tests normalized during the first week after admission to hospital.