Insulin resistance in septic rats--a study by the euglycemic clamp technique.

Male Wistar rats weighing 250 +/- 30g were made septic by cecum ligation and perforation. Peripheral and hepatic sensitivity to insulin was assessed by the euglycemic glucose clamp technique with simultaneous [3H]glucose infusion. Hepatic glucose output was not suppressed by the insulin infusion in the septic rats in contrast with the controls. Glucose utilization by the peripheral tissues was not significantly different between the septic and control rats. Counterregulatory hormone levels were higher in the septic group. Our data suggest that the liver is the site of insulin resistance in the septic state.