Analysis of radiorespirometric pattern in the rat treated with alloxan

Radiorespirometric pattern using [U-14C] glucose as a substrate was analyzed in the rat treated with alloxan in connection with the liver glycolytic enzyme activities. The results were as follows: (1) The radiorespirometric parameters at an early stage of hyperglycemia altered in connecton with those of the liver enzyme activities. Peak time (PT) tended to hasten at 10-20 minutes after the treatment of alloxan, but thereafter delayed up to 24 hours. Both peak height (PH) and yield value (YV) decreased immediately after the treatment to half as much as those of control at 30-40 minutes. At 24 hours after, they recovered to the control levels. On the other hand, the liver glycolytic enzyme, hexokinase (HK) activity in particular was inhibited to about 50% of the control at 30-40 minutes. (2) The increase of blood sugar level at an early stage was probably due to the inactivation of liver HK by alloxan itself. (3) The method of radiorespirometry is a useful technique for study of glucose metabolism in liver injury. (author)