The present study examines whether in vivo administration of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and the resultant neutrophilia alters basal glucose metabolism or modulates the glucose metabolic response to a subsequent endotoxin [lipopolysaccharide (LPS)] challenge. Rats were injected with human recombinant G-CSF (50 micrograms/kg sc) twice daily for 2 days preceding an injection of LPS. Animals treated with G-CSF showed an eightfold increase in blood polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) but no detectable changes in hemodynamics or glucose metabolism. In control animals, LPS transiently decreased circulating PMN number, but by 4 h neutrophils had returned to control levels. LPS produced a greater reduction in circulating neutrophils in G-CSF-treated animals, which did not return to pretreatment levels by 4 h. G-CSF also produced marked changes in the glucose metabolic response to LPS. Rates of whole body glucose production and utilization in both control and G-CSF-treated rats were rapidly increased by LPS; however, the increment in glucose flux was 55-100% greater in the latter group. The enhanced rate of hepatic glucose production in this group occurred despite lower plasma levels of lactate and glucagon. The elevated rate of whole body glucose utilization was attributable to the G-CSF-enhanced LPS-induced increase in glucose uptake by the ileum, spleen, liver, and lung. Furthermore, LPS increased glucose uptake by skeletal muscle in G-CSF-treated rats but not in control animals. The enhanced glucose disposal in G-CSF-treated rats was not mediated by increases in plasma glucose or insulin concentrations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)