Metabolic effects of water deprivation.

Under the conditions of pair feeding, water-deprived rats predominantly use fat as a metabolic fuel, whereas total energy turnover as measured by oxygen consumption is not altered. Plasma free fatty acids are elevated in dehydrated rats, indicating enhanced lipolysis. Reduced hepatic fatty acid synthesis and reduced triacylglycerol secretion into the blood seem to be the main factors for the decrease of plasma triacylglycerol, observed 48 hours after the onset of water deprivation. Enhanced plasma levels of corticosterone (about 100%) and glucagon (about 50%) may contribute to the metabolic situation observed in water deprivation.