CARBOHYDRATE CHANGES IN VARIOUS ANIMALS FOLLOWING POTASSIUM ADMINISTRATION

Abstract

The inj. of subtoxic amounts of K salts into rats results in a marked rise in blood-sugar and in decreases in liver, muscle and cardiac glycogen. When K-glucose solution is injected, the blood-sugar levels are raised 100% over the control values; however the marked deposition of liver and muscle glycogen, which occurs on administration of glucose solution alone, is suppressed. Both cats and opossums given glucose-K solutions also show marked and prolonged hyperglycemia as compared with K-free controls. Liver and muscle glycogen changes (cat) are similar to those observed in the rat. Apparently glycogenolysis, or the inhibition of glycogen formation, and a concomitant hyperglycemia result from raising the K in the body by injection. In adrenal insufficiency, when serum K is also increased, an increased blood and cell K concn. may lead to glycogen disappearance; or, the glycogenetic failure may result in a release of cell K into the blood.