Elimination of Glycerol as a Measure of the Hepatic Blood Flow in the Cat

Abstract

Abstract The metabolism of glycerol has been studied in eleven cats anesthetized with Nembutal. The elimination rate after a single injection of glycerol was found to be constant down to arterial concentrations of 100—150 mg/l blood. The elimination rate averaged 257.5 mg/kg/h or 10.35 mg/min. Below arterial concentrations of 100—150 mg/l blood the extraction in the liver seemed to be complete. By continuous infusion of small amounts of glycerol it was demonstrated by changing the amount infused per minute at least once that the liver blood flow could be calculated without catheterization of the liver. The mean value of the flow calculated this way was 57.2 ml/kg/min. An extrahepatic elimination of glycerol was demonstrated in the eviscerated animal, averaging 2.38 mg/min. Apparently the extrahepatic elimination took place in the kidneys.