Metabolism of maltose during surgery in patients with diabetes mellitus under general anesthesia.

During a surgical operation under general anesthesia, maltose was administered at a rate of 1g/kg BW to 9 diabetic and 18 non-diabetic patients. The disappearance curve of maltose from blood was similar between diabetics and non-diabetics. Blood sugar tended to rise but no significant difference was found between the two groups. Lactic acid and pyruvic acid showed a tendency toward a rise, but the change was non-significant. NEFA and uric acid failed to change. Urinary excretion of maltose was not different between diabetics and non-diabetics. After 120 min., urinary excretion of maltose was similar between the two groups, but excretion as glucose was greater in the diabetic group.