Impaired sensitivity to insulin of rat livers perfused with blood of diminished haematocrit.

1. In livers from fed rats perfused with homologous whole blood of a haematocrit value of 37%, insulin decreased the perfusate concentrations of glucose and amino acids, production of ketone bodies (3-hydroxybutyrate + acetoacetate) and increased bile flow. 2. Perfusion with blood diluted with buffer to a haematocrit value of 17% decreased hepatic O2 consumption by 40-50%. Perfusate concentrations of glucose and lactate, the rate of ketogenesis and the ratios [lactate]/[pyruvate] and [3-hydroxybutyrate]/[acetoacetate] were all increased. 3. In livers perfused with blood of diminished haematocrit, effects of insulin on perfusate glucose an amino acids, ketogenesis and bile flow were abolished.