Metabolic studies in eviscerated rats with functional livers.

A new technique is described for evisceration in the rat in which liver function is preserved. These animals lack all known sources of glucagon and insulin and are capable of active gluconeogenesis, urea formation and ketone body production by the liver. Measurements of blood levels of the metabolites of the caloric substrates showed that, unlike the classical eviscerate preparation, these animals maintain high blood glucose, urea and ketone body levels for up to 72 hr as contrasted with the profound decrease in these constituents in the absence of the liver. Survival time is also significantly extended from about 6 hr in rats lacking liver function to 72 hr or more when the liver is viable. This new surgical preparation is a valuable tool for studying the role of the liver in absence of the known gastroentero-pancreatic hormones. It would also be utilized as a model of "acute" diabetes.