Estimation of glucose turnover in rats in vivo with tritium labeled glucoses

Quantifying rates of glucose production in vivo following an intraperitoneal tracer bolus

Aberrant regulation of glucose production makes a critical contribution to the impaired glycemic control that is observed in type 2 diabetes. Although isotopic tracer methods have proven to be informative in quantifying the magnitude of such alterations, it is presumed that one must rely on venous access to administer glucose tracers which therein presents obstacles for the routine application of tracer methods in rodent models. Since intraperitoneal injections are readily used to deliver glucose challenges and/or dose potential therapeutics, we hypothesized that this route could also be used to administer a glucose tracer. The ability to then reliably estimate glucose flux would require attention toward setting a schedule for collecting samples and choosing a distribution volume. For example, glucose production can be calculated by multiplying the fractional turnover rate by the pool size. We have taken a step-wise approach to examine the potential of using an intraperitoneal tracer administration in rat and mouse models. First, we compared the kinetics of [U-¹³C]glucose following either an intravenous or an intraperitoneal injection. Second, we tested whether the intraperitoneal method could detect a pharmacological manipulation of glucose production. Finally, we contrasted a potential application of the intraperitoneal method against the glucose-insulin clamp. We conclude that it is possible to 1) quantify glucose production using an intraperitoneal injection of tracer and 2) derive a "glucose production index" by coupling estimates of basal glucose production with measurements of fasting insulin concentration; this yields a proxy for clamp-derived assessments of insulin sensitivity of endogenous production.

Simple measurement of gluconeogenesis by direct2H NMR analysis of menthol glucuronide enrichment from2H2O

The contribution of gluconeogenesis to fasting glucose production was determined by a simple measurement of urinary menthol glucuronide (MG) 2H enrichment from 2H2O. Following ingestion of 2H2O (0.5% body water) during an overnight fast and a pharmacological dose (400 mg) of a commercial peppermint oil preparation the next morning, 364 micromol MG was quantitatively recovered from a 2-h urine collection by ether extraction and a 125 micromol portion was directly analyzed by 2H NMR. The glucuronide 2H-signals were fully resolved and their relative intensities matched those of the monoacetone glucose derivative. The pharmacokinetics and yields of urinary MG after ingestion of 400 mg peppermint oil as either gelatin or enteric-coated capsules 1 h before breakfast were quantified in five healthy subjects. Gelatin capsules yielded 197 +/- 81 micromol of MG from the initial 2-h urine collection while enteric-coated capsules gave 238 +/- 84 micromol MG from the 2- to 4-h urine collection.

Hyperketonemia Impairs Glucose Metabolism in Pregnant and Nonpregnant Ewes

The present study was undertaken to test the hypothesis that high ketone body concentrations suppress endogenous production of glucose and in pregnant sheep facilitate development of pregnancy toxemia. Rates of endogenous glucose production [mmol.min(-1)], and rate constants of glucose turnover [min(-1)] were measured in seven 12-h fasted sheep in the presence of normo- and hyperketonemia by use of D-2-[(3)H]-glucose. The measurements were carried out in the same sheep during the nonpregnant nonlactating state, during late pregnancy (10 +/- 7 d antepartum) and during lactation (19 +/- 6 d postpartum). Hyperketonemia (5 to 7 mmol.L(-1)), similar to that present in spontaneous ovine pregnancy toxemia, was induced by continuous intravenous 4-h infusions of DL-beta-hydroxybutyrate (DL-BHB). Glucose turnover [mmol.min(-1)] in the same 7 nonpregnant nonlactating, late pregnant, and lactating sheep was significantly greater during normoketonemia (0.80, 1.16, 1.76) than during hyperketonemia (0.66, 0.92, 1.16, respectively). The rate constants of glucose turnover were not altered by elevation of the BHB concentration. The results demonstrated that high BHB concentrations significantly suppressed endogenous glucose production but showed no effect on glucose utilization. The suppressive effect of hyperketonemia on hepatic glucose production resulted in a significant reduction of plasma glucose concentration and was qualitatively the same in all three reproductive states. The results indicate that hyperketonemia, which is regularly present in late twin pregnant hypoglycemic sheep contributes significantly to the reduction of available glucose. This effect of hyperketonemia may invoke sustained hypoglycemia and may render the ewe into a vicious cycle that probably makes the animal refractory to treatment in most cases.

Measurement of hepatic glucose output, krebs cycle, and gluconeogenic fluxes by NMR analysis of a single plasma glucose sample

13C and 1H NMR spectroscopy of plasma glucose was used to resolve the isotopomer contributions from tracer levels of [1,6-13C2]glucose, a novel tracer of glucose carbon skeleton turnover, and [U-13C]propionate, a tracer of hepatic citric acid cycle metabolism. This allowed simultaneous measurements of hepatic glucose production and citric acid cycle fluxes from the NMR analysis of a single plasma glucose sample in fasted animals. Glucose carbon skeleton turnover, as reported by the dilution of [1,6-13C2]glucose, was 56 +/- 2 micromol/kg/min in the presence of labeling from [U-13C]propionate and 53 +/- 4 micromol/kg/min in its absence. Therefore, as expected, the labeling contributions from [U-13C]propionate metabolism did not have a significant effect on the measurement of glucose turnover. For the group infused with both tracers, citric acid cycle flux estimates from the analysis of glucose C2 isotopomer ratios were consistent with those from our recent experiments where only [U-13C]propionate was infused, verifying that the presence of [1,6-13C2]glucose did not interfere with these measurements. This integrated analysis of hepatic glucose output and citric acid cycle fluxes from plasma glucose isotopomers yielded a noninvasive estimate of hepatic citrate synthase flux of 74 +/- 12 micromol/kg/min for 24-h fasted rats.

Glucose turnover in rats undergoing transient dearterialization for liver malignancy

With the development of new techniques for hepatic dearterialization, their use in the treatment of liver malignancies has increased. It is therefore important to study the metabolic consequences of hepatic dearterialization. The present investigation determined the glucose turnover during hepatic dearterialization in the rat with the use of a primed tracer [( 3-3H]glucose) infusion technique. It was found that the glucose elimination rate was diminished during dearterialization in both tumor-free and tumor-bearing rats in the fasting state. Hepatic glucose production was maintained in tumor-free rats leading to hyperglycemia, but hepatic glucose production decreased in tumor-bearing rats resulting in hypoglycemia. Pretreatment of tumor-bearing rats overnight with an intravenous glucose infusion did not counteract the reduced hepatic glucose production during dearterialization in tumor-bearing rats. The hypoglycemic tendency therefore remained. This could be caused by the exaggerated glucose consumption that is known to occur in tumor tissues. It is concluded that hepatic dearterialization reduces glucose elimination in rats, and, in tumor-bearing rats, the procedure also reduces hepatic glucose production.

The determination of mass of metabolites with tracers

Application of tracers in vivo for the determination of replacement and mass of bloodborne compounds at steady state is discussed. Theory and methods to determine mass with tracers (total amount of compound-tracee-within the body) for compartmental and noncompartmental systems are presented, and their limitations examined. Methods to derive mass from the specific activity curves after bolus injection or infusion of tracer are described using graphic procedures or by equations using the parameters of exponential curves. The relationship between assumed models and the interpretation of tracer data is examined. The determination of both replacement (appearance, which equals utilization at steady state) and mass of most compounds present in both extracellular and intracellular fluids (such as lactate and amino acids) requires the application of the A-V mode for tracer administration and sampling of blood. Recycling of carbon affects the determination of mass with 14C. Estimates of true mass are provided with tritium-labeled compounds, even when tritium loss is by exchange with protons or through futile cycling. Estimates of the amount (body mass) of lactate, alanine, glutamate, and proline obtained with tritium-labeled compounds are presented. Most of these masses are intracellular. The concentration of lactate in tissues equals or is greater, and that of amino acids much greater than that in plasma. Hence, the so-called "distribution space" for these compounds, calculated conventionally by dividing mass by plasma concentration, would appear to be equal to or greater than the body water of lactate, and several liters per kilogram for amino acids.

Glucose turnover and defense of blood glucose levels in Arctic fox (Alopex lagopus)

1. Glucose utilization was assessed in fed and fasted arctic fox, maintained on a diet similar in composition to food available in the wild. 2. Fasted (24 hr) glucose concentration was not significantly different from the fed level (134 mg/dl). 3. Fasting was associated with a significant reduction in glucose space, pool size, total entry rate, and irreversible loss which suggests a decline in gluconeogenesis. 4. Glucose recycling was not significantly different between the fed and fasted states. 5. We suggest that, in the arctic fox, the mechanism for defending blood glucose levels during fasting is based on restricting blood glucose to tissues with a high glucose dependency.

Glucose kinetics in the oestrogen-treated male chicken (Gallus domesticus), measured after administration of [6-3H]glucose and [U-14C]glucose in vivo

Male chickens (Gallus domesticus) were treated with 17 beta-oestradiol then injected with a mixture of [6-3H]glucose and [U-14C]glucose. Subsequently, blood samples were taken to determine plasma lipid levels and several parameters of glucose metabolism, including entry rate, carbon recycling, mean transit time, the total body glucose mass, the mass of the sampling pool and the rate of outflow from this pool. Oestrogen-treated birds exhibited typical hyperlipidaemia, with significantly elevated plasma levels of triacylglyerol and nonesterified fatty acids. Oestrogen administration significantly decreased the glucose entry rate, the total body glucose mass and the rate of outflow from the sampling pool.

Glucose and fructose 6-phosphate cycle in humans

We have determined the rate of glucose cycling by comparing turnovers of [2-3H]- and [6-3H]glucose under basal conditions and during a glucose infusion. Moreover, the activity of the fructose 6-phosphate cycle was assessed by comparing [3-3H]- and [6-3H]glucose. The study included eight lean subjects with normal glucose tolerance. They participated in two randomly performed investigations. In one experiment [2-3H]- and [6-3H]glucose were given simultaneously, while in the other only [3-3H]glucose was given. The basal rate of glucose cycling was 0.32 +/- 0.08 mg X kg-1 X min-1 or 17% of basal glucose production (P less than 0.005). During glucose infusion the activity of endogenous glucose cycling did not change but since glucose production was suppressed it amounted to 130% of glucose production. The basal fructose 6-phosphate cycle could be detected only in three subjects and was suppressed during glucose infusion. In conclusion, the glucose cycle is active in healthy humans both in basal conditions and during moderate hyperglycemia. In some subjects, the fructose 6-phosphate cycle also appears to be active. Thus it is preferable to use [6-3H]glucose rather than [3-3H]glucose when measuring glucose production and particularly when assessing glucose cycle.

Antagonistic regulation of the glucose/glucose 6-phosphate cycle by insulin and glucagon in cultured hepatocytes

Flux through the glucose/glucose 6-phosphate cycle in cultured hepatocytes was measured with radiochemical techniques. Utilization of [2-3H]glucose was taken as a measure of glucokinase flux. Liberation of [14C]glucose from [U-14C]glycogen and from [U-14C]lactate, as well as the difference between the utilization of [2-3H]glucose and of [U-14C]glucose, were taken as measures of glucose-6-phosphatase flux. At constant 5 mM-glucose and 2 mM-lactate concentrations insulin increased glucokinase flux by 35%; it decreased glucose-6-phosphatase flux from glycogen by 50%, from lactate by 15% and reverse flux from external glucose by 65%, i.e. overall by 40%. Glucagon had essentially no effect on glucokinase flux; it enhanced glucose-6-phosphatase flux from glycogen by 700%, from lactate by 45% and reverse flux from external glucose by 20%, i.e. overall by 110%. At constant glucose concentrations cellular glucose 6-phosphate concentrations were essentially not altered by insulin, but were increased by glucagon by 230%. In conclusion, under basic conditions without added hormones the glucose/glucose 6-phosphate cycle showed only a minor net glucose uptake, of 0.03 mumol/min per g of hepatocytes; this flux was increased by insulin to a net glucose uptake of 0.21 mumol/min per g and reversed by glucagon to a net glucose release of 0.22 mumol/min per g. Since the glucose 6-phosphate concentrations after hormone treatment did not correlate with the glucose-6-phosphatase flux, it is suggested that the hormones influenced the enzyme activity directly.

Quantification in vivo of the effects of insulin on glucose utilization in individual tissues of warm- and cold-acclimated rats

Cold-acclimation of rats (3 weeks, 4 degrees C) had no effect on basal rates of glucose production or utilization. Under euglycaemic-clamp conditions, in which the circulating insulin concentration was increased by approx. 50 microunits/ml, cold-acclimated rats showed a greater increase in glucose utilization and a greater suppression of endogenous glucose production. Tissue sites of glucose utilization were investigated by using a tracer dose of 2-deoxy-D-[14C]glucose and a glucose metabolic index determined for each tissue. In 5 h-starved warm-acclimated rats, heart had the highest glucose metabolic index. This was increased further by both cold-acclimation and insulin treatment. The glucose metabolic index of skeletal muscle was 3.5-14-fold lower than that of heart, but, as a result of the large muscle mass, skeletal muscle made the largest contribution to whole-body glucose utilization. White and brown adipose tissue had low glucose metabolic indices in warm-acclimated rats under basal conditions, and the indices were not increased by the insulin treatment. However, cold-acclimation produced a significant increase in the glucose metabolic index of brown adipose tissue, but not of white adipose tissue. In contrast with the warm-acclimated rats, insulin treatment of cold-acclimated rats resulted in a marked increase in the glucose metabolic index of brown adipose tissue. The results provide evidence that cold-acclimation produces a selective alteration in the insulin-sensitivity of brown adipose tissue.

Substrate cycling between gluconeogenesis and glycolysis in euthyroid, hypothyroid, and hyperthyroid man

Substrate, or futile cycles, have been hypothesized to be under hormonal control, and important in metabolic regulation and thermogenesis. To define the role of thyroid hormones in the regulation of substrate cycling in glycolysis and gluconeogenesis, we measured rates of cycling in normal (n = 4), hypothyroid (n = 5), and hyperthyroid (n = 5) subjects employing a stable isotope turnover technique. Glucose labeled with deuterium at different positions (2-D1-, 3-D1-, and 6,6-D2-glucose) was given as a primed-constant infusion in tracer doses, and arterialized plasma samples were obtained and analyzed by gas-chromatography mass-spectrometry for the steady state enrichment of glucose that was labeled at the various positions. The rate of appearance (Ra) was then calculated for each isotopic tracer. The difference between the Ra determined by 2-D1-glucose (Ra2) and the Ra determined by 3-D1-glucose (Ra3) represents the substrate cycling rate (SCR) between glucose and glucose-6-phosphate. The difference between the Ra determined by 3-D1-glucose (Ra3) and the Ra determined by 6,6-D2-glucose (Ra6) represents the SCR between fructose-6-phosphate and fructose-1,6-diphosphate. The difference between Ra2 and Ra6 represents the combined SCR of both cycles. In normal subjects (serum thyroxine [T4] = 8.4 +/- 1.2 microgram/dl (all expressions, mean +/- SD), n = 4), the rates of appearance for Ra2, Ra3, and Ra6 were 3.23 +/- 0.56, 2.64 +/- 0.50, and 2.00 +/- 0.27 mg/kg X min, respectively, whereas those in the hypothyroid subjects (T4 = 1.0 +/- 0.8 microgram/dl; n = 5) were 1.77 +/- 0.56 (P less than 0.01), 1.52, 1.57 +/- 0.31 (P less than 0.05) mg/kg X min, respectively. Conversely, the rates of appearance for Ra2 and Ra6 in the hyperthyroid subjects (T4 = 23.9 +/- 3.6 micrograms/dl) were 3.94 +/- 0.43 (P less than 0.05) and 2.54 +/- 0.22 (P less than 0.02), respectively, compared with the normal subjects. On the basis of these data, we noted that the normal subjects had a combined SCR of 1.23 +/- 0.35 mg/kg X min. In contrast, the hypothyroid patients had a significantly decreased combined SCR, 0.20 +/- 0.54 mg/kg X min (P less than 0.02). The hyperthyroid patients had a combined SCR of 1.39 +/- 0.23 mg/kg X min (P less than NS). To determine whether these cycles responded to thyroid hormone treatment, these same hypothyroid subjects were acutely treated for 1 wk with parenteral 50 micrograms/d sodium L-triiodothyronine and chronically with 100-150 micrograms/d L-thyroxine. After 7 d, their mean oxygen consumption rate and carbon dioxide production rate increased significantly from 102+/-13 micromol/kg.min, to 147+/-34 micromol/kg.min (P<0.05), and from 76+/-13 micromol/kg.min to 111+/-19 micromol/kg.min (P<0.05), respectively. The combined SCR (Ra(2)--Ra(6) remained unchanged at 0.07+/-0.37 mg/kg.min. However, after 6 mo of oral L-thyroxine therapy (T(4)=9.5+/-1.4 microgram/kl) the treated hypothyroid patients had increased their combined SCR (Ra(2)--Ra(6)) to 0.86 +/-0.23 mg/kg.min (P<0.02), a value not significantly different from the combined SCR of normal subjects. We conclude that substrate cycling between glucose and glucose-6-phosphate and between fructose-6-phosphate and fructose-1,6-diphosphate occurs in man and is affected by thyroid hormone. Substrate cycles may represent a mechanism by which thyroid hormone alters the sensitivity of certain reactions to metabolic signals.

Endurance training affects lactate clearance, not lactate production

Primed-continuous infusion of [2-3H]- and [U-14C]lactate was used to study the effects of endurance training (running 2 h/day at 29.4 m/min up a 15% gradient) on lactate metabolism in rats. Measurements were made under three metabolic conditions: rest (Re), easy exercise (EE, 13.4 m/min, 1% gradient) and hard exercise (HE, 26.8 m/min, 1% gradient). Blood lactate levels in trained animals increased from 1.0 +/- 0.09 mM in Re to 1.64 +/- 0.21 in EE and 2.66 +/- 0.38 in HE. Control animals also demonstrated an increase in blood lactate with increasing work rate, but values were 1.93 +/- 0.21 and 4.62 +/- 0.57 mM at EE and HE, respectively. Lactate turnover rates (RtLA) measured with [U-14C]lactate increased from 214.0 +/- 17.0 mumol.kg-1.min-1 in Re to 390.3 +/- 31.6 in EE and 518.1 +/- 56.4 in HE. No significant differences in RtLA were observed between controls and trained animals under any condition. Identical relationships between RtLA and exercise or training were obtained with [2-3H]lactate; however, the values obtained were consistently 90% higher than those observed with [U-14C]lactate. Metabolic clearance rate (MCR) for 14C was not significantly different in Re between controls and trained animals (180.6 +/- 27.7 ml.kg-1.min-1). Metabolic clearance of lactate in trained animals was 37 and 107% greater than in controls during EE and HE, respectively. Results indicate that the effect of endurance training is not on production of lactate but on its clearance from the blood.

The glucose/glucose-6-phosphate cycle in the periportal and perivenous zone of rat liver

Periportal and perivenous hepatocytes contain different activities (V) of antagonistic key enzymes such as glucokinase and glucose-6-phosphatase. In order to get an insight into the metabolism of the periportal and perivenous area the flux rates (v) of the glucose/glucose-6-phosphate cycle were calculated on the basis of the Michaelis-Menten equation using the measured zonal concentrations of glucose and glucose 6-phosphate, the zonal activities of glucokinase and glucose-6-phosphatase previously reported and the half-saturating substrate concentrations (Km) of the two enzymes found in the literature. The concentrations of glucose were obtained as a first approximation by measuring the concentrations in portal (= periportal) and hepatovenous (= perivenous) blood; those of glucose 6-phosphate were calculated from the levels determined in microdissected periportal and perivenous liver tissue. The calculations showed (a) that the overall cycling rates agreed remarkably well with those reported for intact animals and (b) that during a normal feeding rhythm the periportal zone should catalyze net glucose output and the perivenous zone should mediate net glucose uptake, as proposed by the model of 'metabolic zonation'.

Glucose turnover during pregnancy in anaesthetized post-absorptive rats

During pregnancy the decline in blood [glucose] does not result from the increased distribution space of glucose. The absolute rate of glucose turnover increases in late pregnancy in parallel with the rise in the mass of the conceptus. Nevertheless, glucose turnover per kg body wt. is not increased in late pregnancy, since the lower blood [glucose] decreases glucose utilization by maternal tissues.

Metabolism of 3H- and 14C-labelled lactate in starved rats

1. [2-(3)H,U-(14)C]- or [3-(3)H,U-(14)C]-Lactate was administered by infusion or bolus injection to overnight-starved rats. Tracer lactate was injected or infused through indwelling cannulas into the aorta and blood was sampled from the vena cava (A-VC mode), or it was administered into the vena cava and sampled from the aorta (V-A mode). Sampling was continued after infusion was terminated to obtain the wash-out curves for the tracer. The activities of lactate, glucose, amino acids and water were followed. 2. The kinetics of labelled lactate in the two modes differed markedly, but the kinetics of labelled glucose were much the same irrespective of mode. 3. The kinetics of (3)H-labelled lactate differed markedly from those for [U-(14)C]lactate. Isotopic steady state was attained in less than 1h of infusion of [(3)H]lactate but required over 6h for [U-(14)C]lactate. 4. (3)H from [2-(3)H]lactate labels glucose more extensive than does that from [3-(3)H]lactate. [3-(3)H]Lactate also labels plasma amino acids. The distribution of (3)H in glucose was determined. 5. Maximal radioactivity in (3)HOH in plasma is attained in less than 1min after injection. Near-maximal radioactivity in [(14)C]glucose and [(3)H]glucose is attained within 2-3min after injection. 6. The apparent replacement rates for lactate were calculated from the areas under the specific-radioactivity curves or plateau specific radioactivities after primed infusion. Results calculated from bolus injection and infusion agreed closely. The apparent replacement rate for [(3)H]lactate from the A-VC mode averaged about 16mg/min per kg body wt. and that in the V-A mode about 8.5mg/min per kg body wt. The apparent rates for [(14)C]lactate (;rate of irreversible disposal') were 8mg/min per kg body wt. for the A-VC mode and 5.5mg/min per kg body wt. for the V-A mode. Apparent recycling of lactate carbon was 55-60% according to the A-VC mode and 35% according to the V-A mode. 7. The specific radioactivities of [U-(14)C]glucose at isotopic steady state were 55% and 45% that of [U-(14)C]lactate in the A-VC and V-A modes respectively. We calculated, correcting for the dilution of (14)C in gluconeogenesis via oxaloacetate, that over 70% of newly synthesized glucose was derived from circulating lactate. 8. Recycling of (3)H between lactate and glucose was evaluated. It has no significant effect on the calculation of the replacement rate, but affects considerably the areas under the wash-out curves for both [2-(3)H]- and [3-(3)H]-lactate, and calculation of mean transit time and total lactate mass in the body. Corrected for recycling, in the A-VC mode the mean transit time is about 3min, the lactate mass about 50mg/kg body wt. and the lactate space about 65% of body space. The V-A mode yields a mass and lactate space about half those with the A-VC mode. 9. The area under the wash-out curve for [(14)C]lactate is some 20-30 times that for [(3)H]lactate, and apparent carbon mass is 400-500mg/kg body wt. and presumably includes the carbon of glucose, pyruvate and amino acids, which are exchanging rapidly with that of lactate.

Study of the fructose 6-phosphate/fructose 1,6-bi-phosphate cycle in the liver in vivo

1. The method proposed by Rognstad & Katz [(1976) Arch, Biochem, Biophys, 177, 337-345] for the determination of the fructose 6-phosphate/fructose 1,6-bisphosphate cycle by the randomization of carbon between C-1 and C-6 of glucose glucose formed from [1-14C] galactose was applied to anaesthetized rats and conscious mice. 2. It was checked that the hydrolysis of fructose 6-phosphate by glucose 6-phosphatase is too weak to invalidate the method. The participation of the Cori cycle in the randomization was negligible within the short experimental period used (2-4 min). 3. No detectable randomization of carbon was observed in starved animals, indicating that phosphofructokinase is inactive in this experimental condition. 4. Randomization of carbon was detected as soon as 1 min after administration of [1-14C] galactose to fed animals and was maximal at about 3-4 min. It was calculated that on average 15% of the glucose formed by the liver to fed rats was recycled through the triose phosphates. The extent of cycling was quite variable. Recycling was also observed in starved rats in which glucose had been administered intravenously 10 min previously. In these animals, recycling was completely inhibited by glucagon. 5. The main factors that appear to be responsible for the very large changes in recycling observed in various experimental conditions are the concentrations of fructose 1,6-bisphosphate and of fructose 6-phosphate and also the affinity of phosphofructokinase for fructose 6-phosphate. The concentration of nucleotides does not seem to play a role.

Glucose and lactate metabolism in vivo in ovine fetus

The metabolism of glucose and lactate by the ovine fetus (123-128 days of gestation) was studied; a primed, continuous infusion of [2-3H]glucose and [U-14C]lactate into the brachial vein of six fetuses was used. Fetal plasma lactate concentrations averaged 2.12 +/- 0.25 mM and glucose concentrations averaged 9.3 +/- 1.3 mg/100 ml. Total plasma turnover of lactate was 5.22 +/- 0.7 nmol/h and that of glucose was 3.48 +/- 0.63 nmol x h-1 x kg fetal weight-1. Lactate was converted to glucose at a rate of 1.35 +/- 0.64 mmol x h-1 x kg fetal weight-1, which represented 21.6 +/- 6.0% of the lactate turnover. The percentage of glucose coming from lactate was 48.9 +/- 15.2. The specific activity of maternal plasma glucose was less than 4% of the specific activity of glucose observed in fetal plasma. No radioactivity could be detected in maternal plasma lactate. The data show that the ovine fetus or the fetal-placental unit can convert lactate to glucose by days 123-128 of gestation. A general model presented describes carbohydrate metabolism in the ovine placenta and fetus.

Effects of ammonia and norvaline on lactate metabolism by hepatocytes from starved rats. The use of 14C-labelled lactate in studies of hepatic gluconeogenesis

1. Hepatocytes from starved rats were incubated with l-lactate and NH(4)Cl or norvaline, and the rates of the tricarboxylic acid cycle and of gluconeogenesis were calculated from changes in metabolite concentrations or from radioisotopic data from incubations with labelled lactate or propionate. 2. Gluconeogenesis was stimulated by the addition of 10mm-NH(4)Cl, 5mm-norvaline or 1mm-oleate by 27, 45 and 59% respectively. NH(4)Cl or norvaline also increased lactate uptake. Norvaline inhibited urea synthesis from NH(4)Cl by 85%. 3. The effects of NH(4)Cl and norvaline were not additive. However, NH(4)Cl inhibited and norvaline was without effect on gluconeogenesis from pyruvate, indicating that the two compounds act by different mechanisms. 4. The tricarboxylic acid-cycle flux was increased 80% by lactate, and NH(4)Cl caused a further 25% stimulation. Norvaline had no effect on the tricarboxylic acid-cycle flux. NH(4)Cl and norvaline tripled and doubled, respectively, flux through pyruvate dehydrogenase. 5. Total ATP formation was calculated to range from 470 to 830mumol/h per 100mg of protein, of which the basic metabolic activity accounted for 400-450mumol/h per 100mg of protein. ATP formation does not seem to be rate-limiting for gluconeogenesis. 6. Pyruvate recycling was estimated from the (14)C yield from [1-(14)C]propionate in lactate and glucose to be 10-30% of the flux of phosphoenolpyruvate to glucose. The further addition of NH(4)Cl more than doubled the recycling of pyruvate. 7. [1,4-(14)C]Succinate was rapidly metabolized by hepatocytes. About 20% of the radioactivity was recovered in glucose, indicating that succinate is also metabolized by intact (non-damaged) hepatocytes. 8. It is concluded that the metabolism of lactate by the liver is too complex to allow simple rate measurements with labelled compounds.

The effects of hypoglycin on glucose metabolism in the rat. A kinetic study in vivo and [U-14C,2-3H]glucose

1. The kinetics of glucose metabolism were evaluated in rats deprived of food 15-21 h after the administration of hypoglycaemic doses of hypoglycin (100 mg/kg body wt.) by following changes in the specific radioactivities of 14C and 3H in blood glucose after an intravenous dose of [U-14C,2-3H]glucose [Katz, Rostami & Dunn (1974) Biochem. J. 142, 161-170]. 2. During this time, recycling of glucose through the Cori cycle was virtually abolished, the rate of irreversible disposal of glucose and its total body mass were both decreased by about 70%, whereas there was little effect on the mean transit time for glucose. 3. It was concluded that hypoglycaemia is due to inhibition of gluconeogenesis.