Effect of Ammonium Intoxication on Metabolism of ß Hydroxybutyrate

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

During a constant infusion of sodium d,l ß hydroxybutyrate there is a fall in blood glucose. There is, however, a marked rise in blood glucose when ammonium carbonate is injected during the infusion of ß hydroxybutyrate. Except for a decrease in hepatic vein ß hydroxybutyrate and a rise in hepatic vein acetoacetate, there is no marked disturbance of peripheral ketone metabolism. These observations suggest that glucose participates in ketone metabolism at the level of the citric acid cycle.

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