Nephrectomy enhances alcohol-induced hypoglycemia in fasted rats

Male Wistar rats (N = 84) weighing 230-270 g were fasted 48 hr. Equal groups were controls, nephrectomized bilaterally and sham-operated. Equal subgroups were then given 4.0, 6.0 or 7.5 g of alcohol per kg of body weight or water by orogastric intubation. Blood glucose levels did not decrease significantly after nephrectomy alone or after the 4.0 g/kg dose. Blood glucose declined significantly more in the nephrectomized than in the sham-operated rats at 90 and 180 min after the 6.0 g/kg dose. Blood glucose decreased significantly in both the nephrectomized and sham-operated rats after the 7.5 g/kg dose.