Hepatic fructose 2,6-bisphosphate in rats with peritonitis and septic shock.

The possible role of inhibited gluconeogenic enzymes in rat liver during preterminal peritonitis septic shock was investigated. There was no difference in maximal activity of the enzymes phosphofructokinase and fructose biphosphatase in septic and control, fasted rats. Rats with sepsis showed a decrease in hexose monophosphates and an increase in fructose biphosphate. There was an unexpected increase in fructose 2,6-bisphosphate despite the hyperglucagonemic state of sepsis. This suggested a dissociation in the coordination of extracellular hormonal and intracellular effector mechanisms in the control of glucose metabolism during the preterminal phase of septic shock. This dissociation may be responsible for the metabolic dyshomeostasis in septic shock.