CHANGES IN PLASMA-GLUCOSE, LACTATE, TRIGLYCERIDES AND SOME NONPROTEIN NITROGEN COMPONENTS INDUCED BY SHORT-TERM HYPOTHERMIA IN THE CONSCIOUS RAT

Homeostasis of plasma glucose levels is maintained daring short-term moderate (30 degrees C Th) and severe (20 degrees C Tb) hypothermia in the conscious rat. Triglyceride plasma concentration was slightly raised reflecting a shift of metabolism towards Lipolysis. Increase in plasma LDH activity occurs and may indicate slight tissue damage during hypothermia. Plasma urea levels increased in the first stages of hypothermia, reflecting possible protein catabolism and depressed renal clearance. Plasma ammonia levels showed no significant changes and no relationship was found between plasma ammonia and plasma lactate due to the muscular work involved in shivering thermogenesis.