Changes in Blood Ketone Acids During Artificial Fever

Summary

Artificial hyperthermia in man increases ketosis. This, according to available evidence, is due to an increased rate of ketogenesis in the liver. Our observations on human subjects are in accord with the findings of previous investigators, who demonstrated on perfused liver, on liver slices and on living animals, that an inverse relationship exists between the glycogen content of the liver and the rate of ketone formation. The data presented indicate, moreover, that an increased rate of hepatic glycogenolysis per se suffices to increase ketosis, without any appreciable diminution of the glycogen reserves of the liver. An increased ketonemia in artificial fever can be entirely forestalled by the continuous injection of glucose so as to ensure the maintenance of blood sugar at hyperglycemic levels, a condition which enhances glycogen deposition in the liver and at the same time prevents an increase in the rate of glycogenolysis.