Adrenergic mechanism in hyperketonemia in thyrotoxic and starved rats.

To evaluate the possible role of the adrenergic mechanism in hyperketonemia in hyperthyroidism and starvation, the plasma concentrations of FFA, acetoacetate (AcAc), and β-hydroxybutyrate (BOHB) were measured in thyrotoxic and starved rats for 96 hours. Thyrotoxemia was induced in rats by a daily subcutaneous thyroxine (100 μg/kg/day) injection carried out for 7 days. Some of the thyrotoxic and starved rats were administered subcutaneous phentolamine (2 mg/kg, twice daily) or propranolol (0.1 mg/kg, twice daily). Plasma levels of FFA, AcAc, and BOHB were significantly increased in thyrotoxic and starved rats compared with the control rats. Phentolamine and propranolol administration did not alter plasma levels of FFA, AcAc, and BOHB in thyrotoxic rats