STUDIES IN FAT METABOLISM. III. THE EFFECT OF ACTH, OF CORTISONE, AND OF OTHER STEROID COMPOUNDS UPON FASTING-INDUCED HYPERKETONEMIA AND KETONURIA 123

Abstract

Admn. of ACTH or cortisone produces partial or complete suppression of the hyperketonemia which results from a 3 day complete fast in normal and abnormal human subjects. The data presented indicate that this decrease in hyperketonemia is associated with no decrease in oxidation of fat. It is, therefore, concluded that cortisone-like steroids either increase the rate of utilization of ketones, or change the metabolic pathway of fatty acids in sueh a way that ketone formation is diminished. Studies in a diabetic patient provide some support for the concept that a portion of this change in fatty acid metabolism may be referable to increased neoglucogenesis from fatty acids.