Renal uptake of fats and glycerol in endotoxin shock in dogs.

Circulatory changes and renal uptake of free fatty acids (FFA), glycerol and triglycerides were studied in ten adult beagle dogs during pentobarbital anesthesia. Six dogs were injected intravenously with E. coli endotoxin 0.5 mg/kg over 15 min and four control dogs received saline. Cardiac depression, hypotension, renal hypoperfusion and acidosis resulted in endotoxin shock. Arterial FFA concentrations increased significantly 2 hours after onset of shock whereas renal venous FFA levels remained rather stationary during the 5-hour study. Arterial and renal venous glycerol levels increased during the first two hours and decreased thereafter. Unchanged triglyceride levels were observed in endotoxin shock. The renal uptake of FFA increased with increasing arterial FFA concentrations. Net renal uptake of glycerol and triglycerides were observed as well. Blood concentrations and renal uptake of fats and glycerol remained relatively stationary in the control animals through the observation period. These data suggest renal ability to consume FFA, glycerol and triglycerides during endotoxin shock.