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Metabolomic analysis of plasma in hibernating and active ground squirrels
Author(s) -
Nelson Clark J.,
Carey Hannah V.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.23.1_supplement.lb105
Subject(s) - torpor , hibernation (computing) , metabolomics , metabolism , biology , chemistry , peroxisome , biochemistry , endocrinology , thermoregulation , bioinformatics , gene , state (computer science) , algorithm , computer science
Torpor in hibernating rodents is the most extreme form of hypometabolism in mammals. In order to better characterize this dramatic phenotype at the molecular level, we surveyed plasma metabolites from torpid and aroused 13‐lined ground squirrels during the hibernation season and from fed and fasted spring squirrels using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. Among the many potential metabolites that are altered by hibernation we validated several related to amino acid, vitamin and lipid metabolism. Multiple long‐chain monocarboxylic fatty acids were elevated in torpid squirrels, which is consistent with the almost complete reliance on stored fat during this time. We also observed elevated levels of long‐chain dicarboxylic acids, which are typically associated with beta‐oxidation through peroxisomal rather than mitochondrial metabolism. The results identify some of the dramatic shifts in circulating metabolites associated with the extreme physiologic changes during mammalian hibernation. Supported by DARPA award W81XWH‐05‐02‐0016.