Glucose intolerance and amino acid imbalance in relation to changes in blood ketone body ratio in hepatectomized rabbits.

Glucose metabolism and plasma amino acid pattern were investigated in relation to arterial blood ketone body ratio (acetoacetate/3-hydroxybutyrate), which reflects liver mitochondrial redox state, in rabbits subjected to graded hepatectomy (25, 70 and 93%) and 70% hepatectomy with common bile duct obstruction. After partial hepatectomy, blood ketone body ratio decreased according to the extent of resected mass. Common bile duct ligation induced a further decrease in blood ketone body ratio in 70% hepatectomized rabbits. During a 6-hour hypertonic glucose infusion (0.7 g glucose/kg/h) which started 24 h after the operation, the blood glucose level remained between 230 and 280 mg/dl in 25 and 70% hepatectomized groups, while it increased linearly in 93% and jaundiced 70% hepatectomized groups. The plasma concentrations of alanine and proline as well as other amino acids increased as the blood ketone body ratio decreased. It is suggested that Krebs cycle and gluconeogenesis activities are inhibited as blood ketone body ratio decreases markedly resulting in an impaired glucose tolerance and amino acid imbalance.