Galactose and hepatic metabolism in malnutrition and sepsis in man.

1. Hepatic carbohydrate metabolism was studied by an intravenous galactose test in control patients, malnourished non-septic patients, patients with prolonged severe sepsis and patients after recovery from sepsis. 2. Blood galactose half-life was not significantly increased in the septic group despite abnormal liver-function tests, whereas it was approximately doubled in the malnourished patients. 3. The rise in blood glucose after galactose injection was less in both the septic and malnourished groups, as compared with that in the control subjects. 4. Fasting blood glucose, lactate and pyruvate concentrations were similar in all groups, whereas blood ketone bodies were increased in the malnourished and septic groups, and blood alanine was decreased only in the septic group. 5. The changes in hepatic metabolism and function were reversible on recovery from sepsis. 6. It is suggested that alterations in hepatic blood flow and the metabolic fate of galactose within the liver may explain the changes in the metabolic response to galactose observed in malnourished or septic patients.