Changes in Blood Glucose During Metabolism of ß Hydroxybutyrate

¹ From the Departments of Physiology and Clinical Investigation, U. S. Naval Medical Research Unit No. 3, Cairo, Egypt

Following the rapid intravenous infusion of sodium d,l ß hydroxybutyrate there is a consistent drop in blood glucose. This did not occur in animals receiving an equivalent amount of sodium as sodium bicarbonate. Following both the ketone and sodium bicarbonate infusion there is a rise in serum orthophosphate; these latter changes are considered to be caused by alkalosis. The fall in blood sugar suggests a possible participation of glucose in ketone metabolism.

Note:
with the technical assistance of Maude M. Hanke, S. L. Hariades and P. J. Stonestreet