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D-(-)-beta-hydroxybutyrate inhibits catecholamine-stimulated lipolysis and decreases beta-adrenoceptors' affinity in human fat cells but not in lymphomonocytes.

The effect of D-(-)-beta-hydroxybutyrate, at concentrations commonly achieved during ketoacidosis in humans (10 mmol/l), on human fat cell lipolysis in vitro was the aim of this study. The basal lipolysis was not modified and beta-hydroxybutyrate did not affect forskolin- or dibutyryl-cAMP-stimulated glycerol release, whereas it markedly inhibited isoproterenol-stimulated lipolysis. In membranes of intact adipocytes exposed to D-(-)-beta-hydroxybutyrate for 1 h, we found a decrease in beta-adrenoceptor affinity in saturation experiments and a shift to the right of the isoproterenol-mediated radioligand [( 125I]-cyanopindolol) displacement curve. These findings suggest that beta-hydroxybutyrate inhibits catecholamine-stimulated lipolysis by decreasing beta-adrenoceptor affinity. No effect of beta-hydroxybutyrate was found on beta-adrenoceptor binding of intact mononuclear cells of peripheral blood. In conclusion, the beta-adrenoceptor affinity lowering effect of beta-hydroxybutyrate is seemingly specific to human fat cells and might represent a feed-back mechanism that prevents an uncontrolled breakdown of triglycerides and indirectly regulates its own production rate.

3-Hydroxybutyric Acid↗

beta-Hydroxybutyrate increases the insulin sensitivity of adipocyte glucose transport at a postreceptor level.

The effect of insulin on glucose transport (2-deoxyglucose uptake) in adipocytes was measured in the absence and in the presence of 10 mM sodium-DL-beta-hydroxybutyrate. The ketone body had little or no effect on the basal or the maximally insulin-stimulated rate of transport. However, beta-hydroxybutyrate potentiated the effect of submaximal concentrations of insulin, i.e., it resulted in a leftward shift in the dose-response curve. The half-maximally effective concentration of insulin was decreased by approximately 30% from 0.58 ng/ml to 0.40 ng/ml. beta-Hydroxybutyrate caused a slight (approximately 10%) increase in 125I-insulin binding to the cells. To determine whether this small increase in insulin binding is responsible for the increased insulin sensitivity in the presence of the ketone, two mimickers of insulin action were used: a serum containing anti-insulin receptor antibodies and hydrogen peroxide. beta-Hydroxybutyrate increased the sensitivity of glucose transport to stimulation by the anti-receptor antibody, demonstrating that insulin itself does not have to be present. beta-Hydroxybutyrate also potentiated the effect of hydrogen peroxide (which acts at a level distal to the insulin receptor) even in cells that had been depleted of insulin receptors by trypsin treatment. Therefore, beta-hydroxybutyrate acts, at least partly, at a post-insulin receptor level. Adenosine increases the insulin sensitivity of adipocytes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

3-Hydroxybutyric Acid↗

In vitro production of beta-hydroxybutyrate from 1,3-butanediol by bovine liver, rumen mucosa, and kidney.

A model ketosis can be produced in dairy cows by restricting feed intake plus feeding 1,3-butanediol. Increases in D-beta-hydroxybutyrate in blood result from metabolism of the 1,3-butanediol, but the site of metabolism has not been established. In vitro production of D-beta-hydroxybutyrate from butyrate and from isomers of 1,3-butanediol was measured in bovine liver, rumen papillae, and kidney cortex, all obtained at slaughter from nonlactating, nonpregnant Holstein cows. Production of D-beta-hydroxybutyrate from butyrate by the tissues was greatest for liver and rumen and much less for kidney. Only liver, however, produced appreciable amounts of D-beta-hydroxybutyrate from R-, S-, or RS-1,3-butanediol, and rates were maximal at substrate concentrations of 5 mM. Production of D-beta-hydroxybutyrate from R-1,3-butanediol by liver was greater than from S-1,3-butanediol. In vitro rates of production of D-beta-hydroxybutyrate were consistent with liver being the primary tissue involved in the metabolism of 1,3-butanediol, and capacity of the liver probably is sufficient to account for metabolism of 1,3-butanediol when 1 kg is fed daily to dairy cows.

3-Hydroxybutyric Acid↗

Multipoint kinetic method for simultaneously measuring the combined concentrations of acetoacetate-beta-hydroxybutyrate and lactate-pyruvate.

This is a multipoint kinetic method for simultaneously determining acetoacetate (AcAc) plus beta-hydroxybutyrate and lactate plus pyruvate in a single cuvette of the Multistat III centrifugal analyzer. In the first step, AcAc and pyruvate are completely reduced, using 3-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.30) and lactate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.27) in the presence of excess NADH at pH 7.5, to beta-hydroxybutyrate and lactate, respectively. After dilution, the endogenous beta-hydroxybutyrate and lactate and that resulting from reduction are simultaneously oxidized by their respective dehydrogenases in the presence of excess NAD+ at pH 9.0. Adjustment of the relative enzyme concentrations allows simultaneous estimation of AcAc plus beta-hydroxybutyrate and lactate plus pyruvate by analyzing multipoint absorbance data, collected during the oxidation reaction, with use of a two-component linear-regression model. Total run-to-run CVs were 6.4% and 6.1% at 5 mmol/L beta-hydroxybutyrate and 5 mmol/L lactate, respectively. The method was designed to be useful for identifying the cause of an increased anion gap in serum.

3-Hydroxybutyric Acid↗

Kinetics of coupled gamma-hydroxybutyrate oxidation and D-glucuronate reduction by an NADP+-dependent oxidoreductase.

A highly purified NADP+-dependent oxidoreductase from hamster liver (1) has been found to catalyze a reaction in which the oxidation of gamma-hydroxybutyrate is coupled to the reduction of D-glucuronate. In the coupled reaction, NADP+ is required in catalytic rather than stoichiometric amounts. When the coupled reaction is carried out under limiting conditions for the oxidation of gamma-hydroxybutyrate (i.e. a very low concentration of NADP+ and an inhibitory concentration of NADPH) the rate of gamma-hydroxybutyrate oxidation is determined by the concentration of D-glucuronate and can be stimulated at least 8-fold by D-glucuronate. The kinetics of the oxidation of gamma-hydroxybutyrate have been studied in both the uncoupled and the coupled reaction. In the coupled reaction the reduction of D-glucuronate drives the oxidation of gamma-hydroxybutyrate; the Km for NADP+ is markedly lower than the Km determined in the uncoupled reaction (1.4 X 10(-6) M as compared to 2 X 10(-5) M), and the inhibition by NADPH can be completely overcome. The kinetics of the uncoupled reaction suggest that, unlike many other dehydrogenases, the oxidation of gamma-hydroxybutyrate catalyzed by this enzyme proceeds by a Rapid Equilibrium Random Bi Bi mechanism.

Animals↗

beta-Hydroxybutyrate decreases adenosine triphosphate degradation products in human subjects.

Many disease states decrease intracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels and elevate body fluid purine levels. The use of specific metabolic substrates may reverse this process. This study was designed to test the hypothesis that beta-hydroxybutyrate, a substrate for ATP synthesis, decreases body fluid purine levels during interventions that induce ATP degradation. Decreases in these purine levels are metabolic markers for diminished ATP degradation. Two human models for stimulating ATP degradation were used to test the hypothesis. Rapid fructose infusion causes acute degradation of hepatic ATP, and ischemic exercise stimulates ATP consumption in skeletal muscle. The activity of beta-hydroxybutyrate was used in combination with phosphate, another important substrate for ATP synthesis. The studies were performed during a low-phosphate state in 10 normal subjects and during a high-phosphate state in 7 normal subjects. Metabolic variables, such as serum or urinary phosphate level, blood beta-hydroxybutyrate level, blood acetoacetate level, plasma or urinary purine level, blood lactate level, and blood ammonia level, were monitored during the study. After ischemic exercise of the forearm muscle, beta-hydroxybutyrate decreased the level of plasma total purines, blood lactate, and blood ammonia during the low-phosphate state but not during the high-phosphate state. During fructose-induced hepatic ATP breakdown, beta-hydroxybutyrate decreased late phase plasma purine increases under low-phosphate conditions only and decreased urinary total and radiolabeled purine elevations under both phosphate conditions. These data indicate that the infusion of beta-hydroxybutyrate may alter the balance from ATP degradation toward ATP resynthesis in muscle and liver by providing an immediate source of fuel and reducing equivalents under under specific metabolic conditions. This activity in combination with other metabolic interventions may have therapeutic value by restoring ATP pools in ATP-depleted tissues.

3-Hydroxybutyric Acid↗

Effects of pH on beta-hydroxybutyrate exchange kinetics rat erythrocytes.

The influx of beta-hydroxybutyrate into rat erythrocytes at 0 degrees C was measured in the presence of various substrate concentrations and pH values at equilibrium. Under these circumstances, influx measures equilibrium exchange. Acidification (pH 6.3 compared to pH 7.3 and pH 8.3) increased exchange V markedly, increased exchange Km and increased exchange V/Km moderately. The data indicate that the base form of the carrier (either lacking H+ or bearing OH-) binds beta-hydroxybutyrate more tightly than the acid form (either bearing H+ or lacking OH-) and that the beta-hydroxybutyrate-bearing base form is relatively or completely immobile. If these pH effects reflect titration of the transport-partner site, then the findings favor an A-/H+-symport mechanism; for, with this mechanism, a beta-hydroxybutyrate-bearing base form of the carrier is expected. The findings do not favor an A-/OH--antiport mechanism; for, with this mechanism, a beta-hydroxybutyrate-bearing base form is not expected, and OH- should compete with beta-hydroxybutyrate for binding.

Animals↗

Effects of acetoacetate and D-beta-hydroxybutyrate on bovine in vitro embryo development in serum-free medium.

It is known that the ketone bodies acetoacetate and D-beta-hydroxybutyrate can be metabolized by the early bovine embryo for in vitro development. In the present work, we report experiments leading to the culture of bovine embryos in the absence of serum. In vitro-produced bovine zygotes were cultured in modified synthetic oviduct fluid medium supplemented with acetoacetate derivatives, acetoacetate and D-beta-hydroxybutyrate. Acetoacetate and its derivatives prevented blastocysts from forming in the absence of serum during the whole culture period. However, from Days 6 to 8 of culture in the absence of serum, acetoacetate did not affect development as compared to controls containing lactate and pyruvate or no substrate. Interestingly, D-beta-hydroxybutyrate stimulated blastocyst and expansion development, and allowed lipid mobilization. In feeder cells coculture, embryos produced with D-beta-hydroxybutyrate showed improved hatching. Embryos cultured in D-beta-hydroxybutyrate were viable upon transfer to recipients, although no pregnancies were confirmed later by ultrasonic scanning. The protective effect of serum upon embryos cultured in medium containing acetoacetate is apparently not required in the presence of D-beta-hydroxybutyrate.

3-Hydroxybutyric Acid↗

Structure and enzymatic degradation of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) copolymer single crystals with an extracellular PHB depolymerase from Alcaligenes faecalis T1.

Lamellar single crystals of four random copolymers of (R)-3-hydroxybutyrate with different hydroxyalkanoates: poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-8 mol%-3-hydroxyvalerate) (P(3HB-co-8%-3HV)), poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-10 mol%-4-hydroxybutyrate) (P(3HB-co-10%-4HB)), poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-8 mol%-3-hydroxyhexanoate) (P(3HB-co-8%-3HH)) and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-10 mol%-6-hydroxyhexanoate) (P(3HB-co-10%-6HH)), were grown from dilute solutions of chloroform and ethanol. All single crystals have lath-shaped morphology and the second monomer units seem to be excluded from the P(3HB) crystal, on the basis of the electron diffraction diagrams. The enzymatic degradation of P(3HB-co-8%-3HH) and P(3HB-co-10%-6HH) single crystals was investigated with an extracellular PHB depolymerase from Alcaligenes faecalis T1. Adsorption of an extracellular PHB depolymerase, examined using an immuno-gold labelling technique, demonstrated a homogeneous distribution of enzyme molecules with a low concentration on the crystal surfaces. Enzymatic degradation of single crystals progressed from the edges and ends of crystals to yield narrow cracks along their long axes and the small crystal fragments. Lamellar thicknesses of single crystals and molecular weights of copolymer chains remained unchanged during the enzymatic hydrolysis. The above results support the hypothesis that the hydrophobic adsorption of the enzyme contributes to increase the mobility of molecular chains of single crystals and generate the disordered chain-packing regions. The active-site of PHB depolymerase takes place preferentially at the disordered chain-packing regions of crystal edges and ends with endo-exo enzymatic hydrolysis behaviour, termed processive degradation.

Adsorption↗

Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid in the treatment of alcohol and heroin dependence.

We briefly review two double-blind, placebo-controlled surveys conducted in this laboratory with the aim of evaluating the efficacy of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid in the treatment of alcohol withdrawal syndrome as well as alcohol craving and consumption in alcoholics. In the first study, acute administration of 50 mg/kg gamma-hydroxybutyric acid, a nonhypnotic dose in alcoholic patients, resulted in a rapid and significant reduction of the severity score of alcohol withdrawal signs and symptoms that lasted as long as 7 hours. In the second study, treatment with 50 mg/kg/day gamma-hydroxybutyric acid for 3 consecutive months (1) reduced the number of daily drinks by approximately 50%, (2) increased the days of abstinence approximately threefold, and (3) reduced the alcohol craving score by up to 60%. These results feature gamma-hydroxybutyric acid as an effective agent for the treatment of alcohol dependence. Data on the effect of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid on opiate withdrawal syndrome also are reviewed. Administration of 25 mg/kg induced a marked reduction of opiate withdrawal score in both heroin- and methadone-dependent subjects. Finally, we report the cases of adverse reactions to and abuse of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid revealed in a retrospective analysis of patients recruited in this laboratory over a 10-year period.

Alcoholism↗

Stimulation by 3-hydroxybutyrate of pyruvate carboxylation in mitochondria from rat liver.

Isolated rat liver mitochondria incubated in the presence of 3-hydroxybutyrate display a markedly increased rate of pyruvate carboxylation as measured by malate and citrate production from pyruvate. The stimulation was demonstrable both with exogenously added pyruvate, even at saturating concentration, and with pyruvate intramitochondrially generated from alanine. The concentration of DL-3-hydroxybutyrate required for half-maximal stimulation amounted to about 1.5 mM. The intramitochondrial ATP/ADP ratio as well as the matrix acetyl-CoA level was found to remain unchanged by 3-hydroxybutyrate exposure, which, however, lowered the absolute intramitochondrial contents of the respective adenine nucleotides. The effects of 3-hydroxybutyrate were diminished by the concomitant addition of acetoacetate. Moreover, a direct relationship between mitochondrial reduction by proline and the rate of pyruvate carboxylation was observed. The results seem to indicate that the mitochondrial oxidation--reduction state might be involved in the expression of the 3-hydroxybutyrate effect. As to the physiological relevance of the findings, 3-hydroxybutyrate could be shown to activate pyruvate carboxylation in isolated hepatocytes.

Animals↗

Release of monoamines from the striatum and hypothalamus: effect of -hydroxybutyrate.

1. A simple in vitro system was developed to study the effect of gamma-hydroxybutyrate on nerve cell depolarization-induced release of labelled dopamine, noradrenaline and 5-hydroxytryptamine from brain slices.2. The release of (3)H-dopamine formed in rat striatal slices incubated with (3)H-tyrosine was followed either by transferring the slices through successive media or by using a superfusion system. A one to three minute exposure to K(+) (53 mM) caused up to a thirty fold increase in the release of newly synthesized (3)H-dopamine. This K(+)-induced release was antagonized when gamma-hydroxybutyrate (1 x 10(-3)M) was present in the medium.3. Potassium (53 mM) increased (eighteen to thirty fold) the release of (3)H-dopamine from striatal slices initially loaded by preincubation with (3)H-dopamine. However, the K(+)-induced release of this pool of dopamine was not antagonized by gamma-hydroxybutyrate.4. Potassium (53 mM) also increased the release from striatal slices of (3)H-5-hydroxytryptamine newly synthesized from (3)H-tryptophan. This K(+)-induced release of 5-hydroxytryptamine was also not inhibited by gamma-hydroxybutyrate.5. The release of newly synthesized (3)H-noradrenaline from hypothalamic slices was also increased by K(+). This K(+)-induced release, however, unlike that of 5-hydroxytryptamine, was antagonized when gamma-hydroxybutyrate was present in the superfusion medium.6. Removal of Ca(++) had no effect on K(+)-induced release of (3)H-dopamine when followed by transferring the slices through successive media. This K(+)-induced release was abolished, however, when Mg(++) (12 mM) was present in the medium.7. The removal of Ca(++) from the superfusion medium abolished almost completely the K(+)-induced release from striatal slices of either newly synthesized (3)H-dopamine or preloaded (3)H-dopamine. This is presumably due to a more effective washout of tissue Ca(++) by the superfusion technique.8. The ability of gamma-hydroxybutyrate to antagonize the K(+)-induced release of monoamines from brain slices does not appear to be unique to the release of newly synthesized dopamine from the striatum.

Amines↗

Poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate production by lactic acid bacteria.

Poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate was determined in lactic acid bacteria belonging to the genera Lactobacillus, Lactococcus, Pediococcus and Streptococcus. Lactobacilli were grown in MRS broth, the others were grown in Elliker broth medium. Cell biomass was obtained by centrifugation. The cell walls were lysed with sodium hypochlorite. Poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate was extracted using chloroform in a Soxhlet system. Then it was converted to crotonic acid using sulfuric acid and the amount of crotonic acid was measured spectrophotometrically. The yield of poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate (% of cell dry weight) of Lactobacillus species was 6.6-35.8%. The values for Lactococcus, Pediococcus and Streptococcus species were 9.0-20.9, 1.1-8.0 and 6.8-17.2, respectively. It was observed that one of the Lactobacillus species did not produce poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate. Generally, Lactobacillus species produced more poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate than the other tested bacteria and no significant correlation was observed between poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate production and cell density of the cultures.

Hydroxybutyrates↗

Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid, unlike gamma-aminobutyric acid, does not stimulate Gi/Go proteins in rat brain membranes.

gamma-Hydroxybutyric acid is a naturally occurring substance that may act as a neurotransmitter or neuromodulator to elicit several biological effects. Although the existence of a specific gamma-hydroxybutyric acid receptor has been postulated, the receptor protein itself has not been cloned yet. The current study was designed to elucidate whether gamma-hydroxybutyric acid receptors are functionally coupled with heterotrimeric G-proteins, especially Gi/Go family, by means of high-affinity GTPase activity and guanosine 5'-O-(3-[35S]thiotriphosphate) ([35S]GTPgammaS) binding assays in rat brain membranes. The stimulatory effects of GABAB receptor activation were always determined in parallel as a positive control. The selective GABAB receptor agonist (+/-)-baclofen stimulated the high-affinity GTPase activity in cerebral cortical, hippocampal, and striatal membranes, whereas gamma-hydroxybutyric acid was inactive up to 1 mM in these brain regions. The optimum assay conditions for [35S]GTPgammaS binding to detect a receptor-mediated activation of G-proteins at the greatest signal to noise ratio were then probed as to the concentrations of constituents in the assay mixture (GDP, MgCl2, and NaCl) and incubation period. Even under such an optimized experimental condition, [35S]GTPgammaS binding was not altered by gamma-hydroxybutyric acid in the membranes prepared from cerebral cortex or hippocampus. On the other hand, the specific [35S]GTPgammaS binding was increased by GABAB receptor agonists in a concentration-dependent manner, which was competitively inhibited by CGP54626, a selective GABAB receptor antagonist. These results indicate that gamma-hydroxybutyric acid receptors, if any, are not associated with G-proteins, at least Gi/Go family.

Animals↗

beta-Hydroxybutyrate inhibits myocardial fatty acid oxidation in vivo independent of changes in malonyl-CoA content.

This study tested the hypothesis that an acute infusion of beta-hydroxybutyrate inhibits myocardial fatty acid uptake and oxidation in vivo. Anesthetized pigs were untreated (n = 6) or treated with an intravenous infusion of fat emulsion (n = 7) to elevate plasma free fatty acid levels. A third group received fat emulsion plus an intravenous infusion of beta-hydroxybutyrate (25 micromol.kg-1.min-1; n = 7) for 60 min. All animals received a continuous infusion of [3H]palmitate, and myocardial fatty acid oxidation was measured from the cardiac production of 3H2O. Plasma free fatty acid concentrations were elevated in the fat emulsion group (0.77 +/- 0.11 mM) compared with the untreated group (0.15 +/- 0.03 mM), which resulted in greater myocardial free fatty acid oxidation. In contrast, the group receiving beta-hydroxybutyrate in addition to fat emulsion had elevated beta-hydroxybutyrate concentration (0.87 +/- 0.11 vs. 0.04 +/- 0.01 mM), but suppressed fatty acid oxidation (0.053 +/- 0.013 micromol.g-1.min-1) (P < 0.05) compared with the fat emulsion group (0.116 +/- 0.029 micromol.g-1.min-1). There were no differences among the three groups in the tissue content for malonyl-CoA, acetyl-CoA, or free CoA or the activity of acetyl-CoA carboxylase; thus the inhibition of fatty acid oxidation by elevated beta-hydroxybutyrate did not appear to be due to malonyl-CoA inhibition of carnitine palmitoyl transferase-I or to an increase in the acetyl-CoA-to-free CoA ratio. In conclusion, fatty acid uptake and oxidation is blocked by an infusion of beta-hydroxybutyrate; this effect was not due to elevated myocardial malonyl-CoA content.

3-Hydroxybutyric Acid↗

Renal ketone body metabolism. Distribution of 3-oxoacid CoA-transferase and 3-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase along the mouse nephron.

Two enzymes of ketone body metabolism, 3-oxoacid CoA-transferase and 3-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase were measured with ultramicromethods to map their activities along single, dissected segments of mouse nephron. 3-Oxoacid CoA-transferase activity was assayed with a radiochemical procedure by separating [14C]succinyl-CoA, formed in the presence of acetoacetyl-CoA from [1,4-14C]succinate. This procedure, when compared to the spectrophotometric method, resulted in similar activities in mouse organ homogenates. 3-Hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase activity was determined with sufficient sensitivity by using NADH-dependent luciferase. The dehydrogenase exhibited only 5% of the activity of the 3-oxoacid CoA-transferase when measured in mouse kidney cortex homogenates. Both enzymes were found to be present in all nephron structures studies. The specific activity related to tubular protein, which was determined in parallel in all segments dissected, exhibited a typical distribution pattern along the nephron. Both enzymes roughly paralleled each other along the structures of the distal nephron. They exhibited high activities in the thick ascending limb of Henle's loop and the distal convoluted tubule, but decreased to nearly 20% in the segments of the collecting tubule. In the proximal convoluted and straight tubule 3-oxoacid CoA-transferase activity was almost equal. In contrast, 3-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase increased by a factor of 5 from the convoluted to the straight portion. This heterogeneity along the proximal tubule remained when pure D-hydroxybutyrate was used as substrate, but was not found when rat or rabbit nephron segments were analysed. Lowest activities of enzymes were recovered from glomeruli and thin descending limbs of Henle's loop. The results obtained allow for the conclusion that 3-hydroxybutyrate and acetoacetate can be metabolized in all structures of the mouse nephron with different capacities in various segments. With the exception of the relatively low activity of 3-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase in the proximal convoluted tubule, the distribution pattern mirrors the distribution of mitochondria along the rat nephron. The results point to the possible role of ketone bodies as energy fuels for nephron segments performing active transport processes.

Animals↗

Inhibition of in vitro CO2 production and lipid synthesis by 2-hydroxybutyric acid in rat brain.

2-Hydroxybutyric acid appears at high concentrations in situations related to deficient energy metabolism (e.g., birth asphyxia) and also in inherited metabolic diseases affecting the central nervous system during neonatal development, such as "cerebral" lactic acidosis, glutaric aciduria type II, dihydrolipoyl dehydrogenase (E3) deficiency, and propionic acidemia. The present study was carried out to determine the effect of 2-hydroxybutyric acid at various concentrations (1-10 mM) on CO2 production and lipid synthesis from labeled substrates in cerebral cortex of 30-day-old Wistar rats in vitro. CO2 production was significantly inhibited (30-70%) by 2-hydroxybutyric acid in cerebral cortex prisms, in total homogenates and in the mitochondrial fraction. We also demonstrated a significant inhibition of lipid synthesis (20-45%) in cerebral cortex prisms and total homogenates in the presence of 2-hydroxybutyric acid. However, no inhibition of lipid synthesis occurred in homogenates free of nuclei and mitochondria. The results indicate an impairment of mitochondrial energy metabolism caused by 2-hydroxybutyric acid, a fact that may secondarily lead to reduction of lipid synthesis. It is possible that these findings may be associated with the neuropathophysiology of the situations where 2-hydroxybutyric acid is accumulated.

Analysis of Variance↗

Metabolism of 1-3H-ethanol by isolated liver cells. Time-course of the transfer of tritium from R,S-1-3H-ethanol to lactate and beta-hydroxybutyrate.

Parenchymal cells isolated from the liver of 24 h fasted rats were incubated with 65 mM R,S-1-3H -ethanol plus 3 mM pyruvate as substrates in the absence and presence of 1.7 mM 4-methylpyrazole. Metabolite levels and the time-course of the transfer of tritum from ethanol to lactate and beta-hydroxybutyrate was measured during the first 15 min of ethanol metabolism. The time-course of the loss of tritium from 2-3H-L-lactate and 3-3H-beta-D-hydroxybutyrate in experiments identical to the above-mentioned was estimated. A GLC method for the isolation of lactate and beta-hydroxybutyrate and the preparation of 2-3H-L-lactate and O-3H-beta-D-hydroxybutyrate is described. The incorporation rate of tritium from ethanol into lactate and beta-hydroxybutyrate decreased with time. Addition of 4-methyl-pyrazole decreased the incorporation rate roughly proportional to the decrease in ethanol and acetaldehyde metabolism. The observed incorporation rates of tritium to lactate were corrected for the detritiation rates measured in experiments with I-3H-L-lactate and 3-3H-beta-D-hydroxybutyrate as substrates. The rate of extramitochondrial acetaldehyde oxidation was calculated from the corrected initial rates of incorporation of tritium into lactate to 0-0.4 mumol min-1 (ml of cells)-1.

Acetaldehyde↗