The metabolism of oleic acid by the perfused rat liver in experimental diabetes induced by antiinsulin serum

Focal fatty infiltration in the posterior aspect of hepatic segment IV: relationship to pancreaticoduodenal venous drainage

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to investigate the relationship between fatty infiltration in the posterior aspect of hepatic segment IV and pancreaticoduodenal venous drainage.

METHODS

Pancreaticoduodenal arteriography was performed in 21 patients who had nontumorous portal perfusion defects in the posterior aspect of hepatic segment IV, as demonstrated on CT during arterial portography (CTAP).

RESULTS

In 10 patients, pancreaticoduodenal arteriography showed an aberrant nonportal vessel with flow toward the hepatic hilum in the venous phase. Four of the 10 patients with nonportal vessels from the pancreaticoduodenal arterial system had fatty infiltration in segment IV. In three of these four patients, the fatty infiltration was focal and localized to that area. On the other hand, none of the 11 patients without nonportal vessels from the pancreaticoduodenal arterial system had fatty infiltration in the regions corresponding to the nontumorous portal perfusion defects on CTAP. Moreover, three patients with diffuse fatty liver had a focal nonfatty area in segment IV.

CONCLUSIONS

Focal fatty infiltration in the posterior aspect of hepatic segment IV seems to be related to pancreaticoduodenal venous drainage.

Secretion of triglyceride and ketogenesis by livers from spontaneous diabetic BB Wistar rats

Livers from male and female BB Wistar spontaneously diabetic rats were perfused in vitro to determine the effects of spontaneously occurring insulin-dependent diabetes on the metabolism of fatty acid. The secretion of triglyceride and the incorporation of [1-14C] oleic acid into perfusate and hepatic triglyceride was reduced by the diabetic state, whereas beta-hydroxybutyrate production and output of total ketone bodies were increased. The spontaneous diabetic Wistar rat clearly is a suitable model to study the derangements induced in lipid/plasma lipoprotein metabolism by the insulin-dependent diabetic state; the data obtained with this model confirm our earlier observations on experimental insulin deficiency induced with alloxan, streptozotocin, and anti-insulin serum.

Assembly and secretion of hepatic very-low-density lipoprotein

In contrast to water-soluble fuels such as glucose or ketone bodies, the use of lipids as an energy source for tissues has required the development of complex structures for their transport through the aqueous plasma. In the case of endogenously synthesized triacylglycerol this is achieved by the assembly and secretion of hepatic VLDL which provides the necessary stability in an aqueous medium. An essential component of this assembly process is apo B. Dietary changes which require an increase in hepatic VLDL secretion appear to be accompanied by increases in the availability of functional apo B. Interesting questions relate to: (a) the intracellular site(s) of triacylglycerol association with apo B, and (b) the mechanism(s) by which the availability of functional apo B at this site responds to metabolic and hormonal signals which reflect dietary status and, thus, the need to secrete triacylglycerol. As regards the latter, although in some cases changes in apo B synthesis occur in response to VLDL secretion hepatic apo B mRNA levels appear to be quite stable in vitro. Intracellular switching of apo B between the secretory and degradative pathways may be important in controlling VLDL assembly and post-translational modifications of the apoprotein may also play a role by influencing its ability to bind to triacylglycerol. Transport is not the only problem associated with the utilization of a concentrated energy source such as triacylglycerol and the complex problems of waste product disposal and recycling have to be dealt with. In the case of triacylglycerol, potentially toxic waste products include atherogenic remnants and LDL. The overall problem, then, in the long-term, involves the development of a 'safe' means of utilizing triacylglycerol and this requirement accounts for much of the complexity of plasma lipoprotein metabolism. In this area, the rat could teach the human a few tricks. One of these appears to be the utilization of hepatic apo B48 rather than apo B100 for VLDL assembly in response to increases in the extrahepatic utilization of hepatically synthesized triacylglycerol. Under these conditions, the remnants of hepatic triacylglycerol utilization by peripheral tissues are cleared from the plasma much more readily via a process which seems to involve the cycling of more triacylglycerol back to the liver than that which occurs in humans. The means by which this is achieved, though, are obscure and may involve a chylomicron remnant receptor, the nature of which, itself, remains controversial.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Effects of oleic acid on the biosynthesis of lipoprotein apoproteins and distribution into the very-low-density lipoprotein by the isolated perfused rat liver

The effects of oleic acid on the biosynthesis and secretion of VLDL (very-low-density-lipoprotein) apoproteins and lipids were investigated in isolated perfused rat liver. Protein synthesis was measured by the incorporation of L-[4,5-3H]leucine into the VLDL apoproteins (d less than 1.006) and into apolipoproteins of the whole perfusate (d less than 1.21). Oleate did not affect incorporation of [3H]leucine into total-perfusate or hepatic protein. The infusion of oleate, however, increased the mass and radioactivity of the VLDL apoprotein in proportion to the concentration of oleate infused. Uptake of oleate was similar with livers from fed or fasted animals. Fasting itself (24 h) decreased the net secretion and incorporation of [3H]leucine into total VLDL apoprotein and decreased the output of VLDL protein by the liver. A linear relationship existed between the output of VLDL triacylglycerol (mumol/h per g of liver) and secretion and/or synthesis of VLDL protein. Net output of VLDL cholesterol and phospholipid also increased linearly with VLDL-triacylglycerol output. Oleate stimulated incorporation of [3H]leucine into VLDL apo (apolipoprotein) E and apo C by livers from fed animals, and into VLDL apo Bh, B1, E and C by livers from fasted rats. The incorporation of [3H]leucine into individual apolipoproteins of the total perfusate lipoprotein (d less than 1.210 ultracentrifugal fraction) was not changed significantly by oleate during perfusion of livers from fed rats, suggesting that the synthesis de novo of each apolipoprotein was not stimulated by oleate. This is in contrast with that observed with livers from fasted rats, in which the synthesis of the total-perfusate lipoprotein (d less than 1.210 fraction) apo B, E and C was apparently stimulated by oleate. The observations with livers from fed rats suggest redistribution of radioactive apolipoproteins to the VLDL during or after the process of secretion, rather than an increase of apoprotein synthesis de novo. It appears, however, that the biosynthesis of apo B1, Bh, E and C was stimulated by oleic acid in livers from fasted rats. Since the incorporations of [3H]leucine into the VLDL and total-perfusate apolipoproteins were increased in fasted-rat liver when the fatty acid was infused, part of the apparent stimulated synthesis of the VLDL apoprotein may be in response to the increased formation and secretion of VLDL lipid.

Effects of 8-N,N-diethylamino-octyl-3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate (TMB-8) HCl and verapamil on the metabolism of free fatty acid by hepatocytes

The influence of calcium antagonists on hepatic lipid metabolism was investigated in freshly dispersed rat hepatocytes incubated with [1-14C]oleate and verapamil or 8-N,N-diethylamino-octyl-3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate (TMB-8). Synthesis of triglyceride was calculated from the specific radioactivity of [1-14C]oleate in extracted total lipid, after separation of each lipid class by thin-layer chromatography. Ketogenesis was measured enzymatically or as the amount of radioactivity incorporated into neutralized acid-soluble extracts. Neither verapamil nor TMB-8 affected triglyceride synthesis. In contrast, TMB-8 and verapamil exerted a concentration-dependent inhibition of ketogenesis, with TMB-8 being more potent than verapamil (inhibition by 50 microM TMB-8 was 73 +/- 9% versus 38 +/- 2% inhibition by 50 microM verapamil). Increasing the concentrations of calcium (0 to 4.2 mM) or oleate (0 to 2.0 mM) increased the rate of ketogenesis but did not alter the antiketogenic potency of TMB-8 or verapamil, indicating that inhibition of ketogenesis by these drugs was not calcium dependent. Since the calcium antagonists did not affect ketogenesis from octanoic acid, and since carnitine stimulated ketogenesis from [1-14C]oleate by 25% and reversed the antiketogenic effects of TMB-8 and verapamil, it appeared that the two calcium antagonists inhibited ketogenesis by interfering with the activity of the outer mitochondrial carnitine palmitoyltransferase. In assays of the outer carnitine palmitoyltransferase in isolated mitochondria, both TMB-8 and verapamil were inhibitory. TMB-8 was the more potent inhibitor of this enzyme, and carnitine was able to overcome inhibition by each of the inhibitors. These results suggest that verapamil and TMB-8 may inhibit ketogenesis by mechanisms independent of their well known effects on cellular calcium concentrations, and that inhibition may be competitive with respect to carnitine concentration. However, direct inhibition of carnitine palmitoyltransferase may not explain completely the inhibition of ketogenesis by these drugs, since concentrations required for enzyme inhibition were greater than those required for inhibition of ketogenesis in isolated hepatocytes.

Stimulation by acetoacetate of hepatic triacylglycerol synthesis

The factors responsible for the huge accumulation of hepatic triacylglycerols in the ketotic diabetic state are not established. Our earlier work suggested a role for ketone bodies in the increased hepatic triacylglycerol synthesis observed in the ketotic diabetic state. Isolated hepatocytes obtained from normal fed rats were incubated with sodium acetoacetate or sodium chloride (control) and [1-14C]palmitate in Krebs-albumin buffer. Acetoacetate stimulated triacylglycerol synthesis in a concentration-dependent manner without increasing palmitate uptake or inhibiting palmitate oxidation. Beta hydroxybutyrate showed no effect on palmitate esterification to triacylglycerols. Isolated hepatocytes of normal fed rats were incubated with either sodium acetoacetate or sodium chloride and the nuclear-free homogenate was incubated with [U-14C]glycero-3-phosphate and cofactors. The synthesis of triacylglycerol and the activity of the cytosolic phosphatidate phosphohydrolase were increased in the cells pre-incubated with acetoacetate. The results of this study demonstrate that the increases in triacylglycerol synthesis and the cytosolic activity of phosphatidate phosphohydrolase previously observed by us in the ketotic diabetic liver, could be reproduced in normal fed rat liver cells by incubating them with acetoacetate. The results identify acetoacetate as a potential factor, in the regulation of hepatic triacylglycerol synthesis and for hepatic accumulation of triacylglycerols observed in the ketotic diabetic state.

Increased fatty acid uptake, a factor in increased hepatic triacylglycerol synthesis in aging rats

The mechanisms responsible for the increased hepatic triacylglycerol synthesis in aging are not established. We studied [1-14C] palmitate uptake and its esterification to triacylglycerols in the isolated hepatocytes of 2-month, 10-month and 20-month-old normal rats. In all hepatocytes, palmitate uptake and its esterification were linearly related to medium palmitate concentration, but palmitate uptake and triacylglycerol synthesis by the hepatocytes of 10-month and 20-month-old rats were nearly double that observed with the cells of 2-month-old rats. These results suggest that increased fatty acid uptake by the liver cells was a contributory factor in the increased triacylglycerol synthesis observed in the liver of senescent rats. The changes in the hepatocyte leading to increased fatty acid uptake and hence increased triacylglycerol synthesis are detected as early as middle age of the rat.

Requirements of glycerol and fatty acid for triglyceride synthesis and ketogenesis by hepatocytes from normal and triiodothyronine-treated rats

Hepatocytes from T3-treated rats synthesized less triglyceride and more ketone bodies from [1-14C]oleate at all concentrations from 0-2 mM, than did hepatocytes from euthyroid animals; addition of 1.0 mM glycerol increased triglyceride synthesis and reduced ketogenesis in hepatocytes from T3-treated rats to the rates observed in euthyroid hepatocytes in the absence of added glycerol. Glycerol did not alter triglyceride synthesis, but reduced ketogenesis genesis by euthyroid hepatocytes. It is probable from these and other data (J. Biol. Chem. 259, 8857-8862 (1985)) that, in the hyperthyroid rat, glycero-3-P, and not fatty acid, is rate limiting for synthesis of triglyceride, and, secondarily for reducing rates of ketogenesis in the hepatocyte.

Secretion of cholesterol, triglyceride and apolipoprotein A-I by isolated perfused liver from rats fed soybean protein and casein or their amino acid mixtures

Isolated livers from rats fed soybean protein isolate and casein or amino acid mixtures simulating these proteins were perfused for 4 hours with Krebs-Henseleit buffer containing 0.15% glucose and 25% human red blood cells. Feeding soybean protein as compared with casein resulted in a significant reduction of the secretion of cholesterol, triglyceride and apo A-I. The results agreed well with the responses of serum counterparts reported previously. When amino acid mixture diets were fed, however, no such difference could be demonstrated, though the soy-type amino acid mixture had also been shown to decrease serum cholesterol and apo A-I. The production rate of total ketone bodies was the same, but the ratio of beta-hydroxybutyrate:acetoacetate was significantly higher in rats fed plant protein. The perfusate glucose tended to be higher on soybean protein. These differences were less clear on feeding amino acid mixtures. Neither the rate of bile flow nor the concentration of biliary bile acids and cholesterol were influenced by the type of dietary protein. These observations led us to conclude that soybean protein exerts the cholesterol-lowering action primarily through the regulation of hepatic contribution. The data also suggested that the protein-dependent difference in the concentration of serum cholesterol and apo A-I might not be explained thoroughly by the difference in the amino acid profile alone.

Effect of portacaval shunt on circulating free fatty acids and ketone bodies in rats

To ascertain whether portal diversion affects ketone body (KB) metabolism, fasting circulating levels of free fatty acids (FFA), acetoacetate (AcAc) and B-hydroxybutyrate (3-OH-B) were measured in portacaval shunted (PCS), sham-operated (S-O) and unoperated control (C) rats. In PCS animals blood KB concentration was clearly reduced when compared with S-O and C rats. Beta-hydroxybutyrate level was significantly lower in PCS rats, whereas AcAc concentration did not appear significantly modified in these animals. The hypothesis is proposed that hypoketonemia induced by portal diversion is due to reduced hepatic availability of fatty acids.

Short-term influences of dichloroacetate on genetically hyperlipemic rats

The effects of short-term (7 days) administration of dichloroacetate (DCA) on carbohydrate and lipid metabolism in the Zucker obese and lean rat were investigated. Metabolic effects of the drug were more pronounced in the obese than in the lean rat. DCA decreased fasting blood glucose concentrations in both lean and obese rats, but more so in the fat animals, probably because of higher initial levels. The hypoglycemic action of DCA is likely attributable to a direct effect on liver and peripheral tissues and not to an indirect action caused by a decrease in the glucagon-to-insulin ratio because the drug induced just the opposite effect. DCA decreased plasma triglycerides (TG) and free fatty acids (FFA) in the hyperlipemic rats but not in lean rats. Intrahepatic triglyceride content diminished after drug treatment in fat rats, suggesting decreased hepatic TG synthesis. Hyperketonemia, induced in both lean and fat rats by DCA treatment, was also greater in the obese animal. This response was probably caused by accelerated hepatic ketone body production due to increased beta-oxidation, and not to enhance FFA substrate supply. These data demonstrate that DCA is capable of correcting many of the underlying abnormalities in carbohydrate and fat metabolism in the obese Zucker rat.