Galactose Assimilation in Pups of Diabetic Canine Mothers

The effects of enteric galactose alimentation on neonatal glucose turnover and hepatic glycogen synthesis were investigated in a newborn animal model of diabetic pregnancy. Control pups and pups of diabetic dogs were studied in the basal state and after each group of pups was randomly fed equivalent amounts of galactose or glucose by oral-gastric tubes. Basal fasting blood glucose levels were not statistically different between the groups, whereas basal plasma insulin levels were 2–3 times higher in pups born to diabetic mothers. Blood glucose levels at each time point in response to glucose or galactose feeding in pups of diabetic mothers were not statistically different; however, the rise of plasma insulin concentrations was attenuated in pups of diabetic mothers fed galactose. The increase in the systemic rate of appearance of glucose and in glucose clearance were attenuated in pups of diabetic mothers fed galactose compared with those fed glucose. Hepatic glycogen content was augmented above basal levels in pups of diabetic mothers. Although glycogen synthase activity was not different between glucose-or galactose-fed pups of diabetic mothers, the active component of glycogen phosphorylase was reduced by both glucose and galactose feedings. Galactose alimentation had a greater effect on glycogen phosphorylase than did glucose alimentation. The observed increase in glycogen synthesis and reduced systemic glucose appearance after galactose alimentation could not be accounted for by the previously proposed excess of galactokinase over glucokinase activities when the latter enzyme was assayed at saturation. Indeed, neonatal hepatic glucokinase activity appeared to be induced during diabetic pregnancy. Thus, we hypothesize that galactose may be a more optimal source for neonatal tissue glycogen synthesis than glucose because of preferential direction of galactose carbons tothe glycogen synthetic pathway. For infants of diabetic mothers, enteric availability of galactose, as in lactose-containing milk, may help stabilize blood glucose levels in the absence of a corresponding exaggerated elevation of plasma insulin concentrations.