Effects of chemotherapy and remission on carbohydrate metabolism in dogs with lymphoma

After a 12‐hour fast, blood samples were obtained from 27 dogs with previously untreated lymphoma before and 5, 15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes after an intravenous (IV) challenge with 500 mg/kg dextrose. This procedure was done for each dog before up to five treatments with the IV doxorubicin (30 mg/m² every 3 weeks). All dogs achieved a complete remission. Samples were assayed for glucose, lactate, and insulin concentrations, and results were compared statistically with those from 16 normal control dogs of similar weight and age undergoing an identical dextrose challenge before and 3 weeks after receiving one dose of IV doxorubicin (30 mg/m²). Glucose, lactate, and insulin concentrations did not change significantly in response to glucose challenge in control dogs after doxorubicin chemotherapy. Lactate and insulin concentrations in untreated dogs with lymphoma were significantly higher than controls. This hyperlactatemia and hyperinsulinemia did not improve when dogs with lymphoma were put into remission with doxorubicin chemotherapy. The results indicate that carbohydrate metabolism is altered in dogs with lymphoma, and that these abnormalities do not improve when a complete remission is obtained with doxorubicin chemotherapy.