An experimental study of the response of the fat content of the blood to exercise in health and diabetes, with some clinical observations on the fasting level of the blood fat.

Abstract

SECTION I - THE FASTING LEVEL OF THE BLOOD FAT IN ABNORMAL CONDITIONS:(1) Figures are presented (Table IV) showing the average fasting fat content of the blood in normal individuals to be about 600 mgms. per 100 c.c. (with a range between 439 and 698).

(2) In obesity the fasting fat content is shown to be considerably higher, the average being 1744 mgms. per 100 c.c. (with a range of 1263 to 2619).See Table IV).

(3) In nervous diseases where muscular tremor is a feature the fasting fat content is remarkably low, the average being 306 mgms. per 100 c.c. (with a range of 180 to 449) . See Table IV.

(4) Finally in Table V, figures are brought forward indicating the high fasting fat content found in patients who showed evidence of kidney impairment.SECTION II - BLOOD FAT AND EXERCISE IN HEALTH:(1) Figures are presented indicating a remarkable constancy of the fasting blood fat content for the same individual. (2) A definite increase in the blood fat content is noted as occurring in fasting individuals immediately after severe exercise. (3) There is no increase in blood fat after exercise in the same individuals when they have received 100 grams glucose per os prior to the muscular exertion. (4) The variations of the R.Q. are discussed and the suggestion made that, taken in conjunction with the observed increase in blood fat fasting individuals after exercise, they might indicate that fat was being mobilised for its conversion into carbohydrate. (5) Indications of a relationship between the blood fat and blood sugar contents are noted. (6) The investigation of the cholesterol content of the blood seems to indicate that during the period of observation it remained unaffected by the exercise and, apparently, unrelated to the definite blood fat variations.SECTION III - BLOOD FAT AND EXERCISE IN DIABETES:(1) Figures are presented showing the absence of any constancy of the fasting blood fat content of diabetic individuals from day to day.

(2) A definite decrease in the blood fat content is noted as occurring in fasting diabetes immediately after exercise.

(3) There is no decrease in the blood fat after exercise in the sane individuals, but a definite increase (approaching the response of "normals "), when they have received an injection of 10 units of insulin prior to the muscular exertion.

(4) Indications of an apparent relationship between the blood fat and blood sugar contents in diabetics are noted.

(5) The effect of the injection of insulin upon the fasting blood fat content of the diabetic in the resting state is described during the first hour of insulin action.

(6) An hypothesis of the action of insulin in relation to blood fat is presented and discussed.