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GLUTAMINE METABOLISM IN THE PERFUSED RAT HEART
Author(s) -
Ottaway J. H.
Publication year - 1969
Publication title -
quarterly journal of experimental physiology and cognate medical sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.925
H-Index - 101
eISSN - 1469-445X
pISSN - 0033-5541
DOI - 10.1113/expphysiol.1969.sp002004
Subject(s) - glutamine , glutaminase , metabolism , alanine , perfusion , medicine , endocrinology , glutamate receptor , amino acid , chemistry , biology , biochemistry , receptor
Changes in the concentration of glutamate, glutamine, alanine and aspartate have been measured during perfusion of isolated rat hearts. During a 60 min perfusion the concentration of glutamine fell by two‐thirds: the extent of the fall is consistent with hydrolysis by cardiac glutaminase. The concentrations of the other 3 amino acids did not change significantly in the heart, but alanine and aspartate, and to a less extent glutamate, accumulated in the perfusate in amounts equivalent to the glutamine which had disappeared. When 10 µg./ml. bovine growth hormone was added to the perfusate, the tissue glutamine level was slightly higher and about 1 µmole glutamine/g. heart/hour accumulated in the perfusate. The concentrations of the other amino acids, both in the heart and in the perfusate, remained essentially unchanged. The significance of these results with respect to cardiac glutamine metabolism is discussed.