Hepatic Glycogen In Obstructive Jaundice

Summary

• 1. Under the experimental conditions described, dextrose was slightly more efficacious by vein than by mouth in raising the glycogen content of the liver in dogs with obstructive jaundice.

• 2. The intravenous route offers the possibility of introducing in a given period of time larger amounts of sugar and water into the organism than is usually possible with oral administration.

• 3. A caloric intake consisting entirely of dextrose and adequate to meet the daily energy requirement of the dog was less productive of hepatic glycogen than a general diet with supplementary dextrose therapy.

• 4. In severe liver disease, intravenous injection of dextrose is especially advantageous for replenishing the wants of the heart and skeletal muscles, in addition to its effect on hepatic glycogen.

• 5. Both oral and intravenous dextrose therapy are indicated in the pre-operative preparation of jaundiced patients.

• 6. In jaundiced patients requiring surgery, intravenous injection of 1000 cc. of 10% glucose approximately three hours before operation is advisable.

We wish to extend our thanks to Dr. George White, Dr. Herman Beigelman and Mr. Arthur Linenthal, for their technical assistance at various times, and to Dr. Irving H. Saxe, for his cooperation in the histological study of the liver tissue.