Investigations into the direct effects of insulin on hepatic ketogenesis, lipoprotein secretion and pyruvate dehydrogenase activity

In the rat liver perfused with whole rat blood containing either decreased or increased concentrations of non-esterified fatty acids, insulin decreased production of acetoacetate and 3-hydroxybutyrate and stimulated secretion of very-low-density-lipoprotein triacylglycerol. In these same livers, pyruvate dehydrogenase activity was not altered by insulin addition, although it was diminished by non-esterified fatty acids.