The influence of Escherichia coli O78 endotoxin on carbohydrate metabolism in the domestic fowl.
The injection of endotoxin isolated from a pathogenic avian strain of Escherichia coli (1 mg/kg intravenously) accelerated the depletion of liver glycogen in fasting nine- to 10-week-old chickens within the first hour and concurrently reduced their plasma inorganic phosphate levels. These changes were attributed to increased glycogenolysis and were followed by hypoglycaemia and a large increase in the lactate content of the plasma which appeared to be caused by enhanced glucose oxidation and reduced gluconeogenesis. The plasma glucose level returned to normal within three hours and simultaneous changes in the plasma urate and albumin content indicated that glucose was being synthesised from amino acids and that albumin was being catabolised to provide them.