[Intravenous and oral galactose loading of rats suffering from galactosamine hepatitis and ANIT-cholestasis; comparison of the kinetics in vivo and the galactose metabolism in the liver in vitro (author's transl)].

Different groups of rats suffering from galactosamine hepatitis or ANIT-cholestasis received 200 mg galactose either by 5 minutes intravenous infusion or via a gastric tube. Blood galactose concentrations were measured for a time period of 1.5 hrs. after intravenous administration and the galactose elimination capacity (GEC) was calculated. After oral administration the galactose blood concentrations were determined for a period of 3.5 hrs. and the oral galactose clearance was estimated. After termination of both types of galactose loading the activity of the galactokinase (EC 2.7.1.6.) was determined in total liver homogenate and compared either to the GEC or to the oral galactose clearance in vivo. Galactokinase activity in the liver increased in the group of animals with experimental cholestasis and was significantly reduced in the galactosamine treated group. In vivo these changes could be estimated much better by the GEC than by determination of the oral galactose clearance.