[Studies on the metabolism of lipid and glucose in rats with experimental peritonitis]

Metabolism of lipid and glucose in rats with experimental peritonitis was investigated. Thirty-two rats were divided into 3 groups; 12 receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN) with glucose and having no peritonitis (Group G), 10 receiving TPN with glucose and having peritonitis (Group PG), and 10 receiving TPN with glucose and lipids and having peritonitis (Group PF). Linoleic acid or glucose labelled with radioisotope 14C was given intravenously at one hour after cessation of 68 hours of TPN, and the rate of oxidation to 14CO2, total hepatic lipids, each fraction of hepatic lipids, hepatic glycogen, total adipose lipids, and muscle glycogen were measured. Cumulative amounts of 14CO2 in the expired breath during 6 hours after administration of (1-14C) linoleic acid was significantly higher in the Group PF, whereas there was no significant difference of cumulative amounts of 14CO2 in the expired breath during 6 hours after administration of (U-14C) glucose among the 3 groups. All the results obtained from the present experiment suggested also that linoleic acid was superior to glucose as a fuel given to rats with peritonitis.