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Pyruvate metabolism by rat lung in vitro
Author(s) -
Scholz Richard W.,
Evans Robert M.
Publication year - 1973
Publication title -
lipids
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.601
H-Index - 120
eISSN - 1558-9307
pISSN - 0024-4201
DOI - 10.1007/bf02531921
Subject(s) - pyruvate decarboxylation , biochemistry , chemistry , pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase , pyruvate carboxylase , pyruvic acid , incubation , pyruvate dehydrogenase complex , metabolism , glycerol , citric acid cycle , enzyme
Rat lung slices were used to examine the net uptake of pyruvate and the incorporation of specifically labeled pyruvate‐ 14 C into CO 2 and lipid fractions. Pyruvate uptake and pyruvate‐2‐ 14 C incorporation into these fractions was increased by raising the pyruvate concentration in the incubation medium from 1 to 25 mM. The addition of 5 mM glucose to the incubation medium decreased the apparent oxidation of pyruvate‐2‐ 14 C to CO 2 but increased its incorporation into lung lipids. Glucose did not increase net pyruvate uptake by lung slices. The incorporation of pyruvate‐1‐ 14 C and pyruvate‐3‐ 14 C into CO 2 and lung lipids was also examined. The results indicated that a major portion of the pyruvate utilized was oxidized to CO 2 with substantial levels found in the fatty acid moiety of lung phospholipids. The low level of pyruvate conversion to phospholipid glycerol, possibly via the dicarboxylic acid shuttle, is of uncertain physiological significance.