III. Fructose Metabolism in Schizophrenic, Manic-Depressive, and Involutional Psychoses

A. Effects of Oral Administration of Fructose.—Measurements of blood fruc¬ tose and lactic and pyruvic acid and of serum inorganic phosphate concentrations after ingestion of 50 gm. of fructose by two normal subjects and by five psychotic patients (twice by one of them) revealed no differences between the two groups. The psychotic patients showed an average rise in blood glucose concentration of 8.8 mg. per 100 cc. one-half to one hour after the ingestion of the fructose, in contrast to the steady fall, with a maximal change of —6 and —16 mg. per 100 cc, in the two normal subjects. The changes in serum inorganic phosphate con¬ centration were variable ; however, all subjects studied showed a rise above the fasting concentration after the first half-hour.