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

Homeostasis of plasma glucose levels is maintained daring short-term m oderate (30 degrees C Th) and severe (20 degrees C Tb) hypothermia in the conscious rat. Triglyceride plasma concentration was slightly rais ed reflecting a shift of metabolism towards Lipolysis. Increase in pla sma LDH activity occurs and may indicate slight tissue damage during h ypothermia. Plasma urea levels increased in the first stages of hypoth ermia, reflecting possible protein catabolism and depressed renal clea rance. Plasma ammonia levels showed no significant changes and no rela tionship was found between plasma ammonia and plasma lactate due to th e muscular work involved in shivering thermogenesis.