Conversion of Acetate-2- 14 to 14 CO 2 and 14 C-Fatty Acids in the Partially Hepatectomized Rat

Abstract

Summary

Partially hepatectomized (67%) rats were injected with acetate-2-¹⁴C at various times postoperative and the expired ¹⁴CO² and CO² measured for 3 hr. Liver ¹⁴C-nonsaponifiable lipids, ¹⁴C-fatty acids, and total fatty acid content were determined. Plasma triglycerides, phospholipids, free fatty acids, and ¹⁴C-lipids were determined. The recovery of ¹⁴CO₂ showed no significant difference from sham-operated controls except during the 72-75-hr postoperative period when an increased excretion was noted. The specific activity of the expired CO² of the partially hepatectomized rat was increased as a result of a lower CO² production. The lower CO₂ production was attributed to an increased lipid oxidation by the partially hepatectomized rat. The appearance of 14C as plasma lipids was proportional to the mass of the regenerating liver. Recovery of ¹⁴C as liver fatty acids was comparable to shamoperated and nonoperated control values. The results suggest that, in addition to deposition via transport, the fatty acid content of the regenerating liver is also increased by synthesis in situ during the premitotic as well as the mitotic phase.