KETONE BODY-TOTAL CARBOHYDRATE UTILIZATION RATIOS AND THEIR RELATION TO THE PROBLEM OF KETOSIS

Abstract

Utilization ratios for total ketone bodies and total carbohydrate were detd. on eviscerated. nephrectomized-normal and nephrectomized-depancreatized dogs following intraven. injs. of Na acetoacetate (neutralized to pH 7.4) up to the tolerance of the animals. Ratios significantly higher than the theoretical 2:1 prevailed when the ketone body conc. was high, lower ratios when this was low. They were not affected significantly by pancreatec-tomy or evisceration. Ketone body utilization by the tissues was not influenced by the blood sugar level, by the utilization of total carbohydrates, evisceration or pancreatectomy, but by their own concs. in the blood and tissues. The existing evidence for and against the ketolytic and anti-ketogenic theories of carbohydrate action is discussed briefly. The antiketogenic theory is supported.