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Aliphatic medium chain tricarboxylic acids in rat urine
Journal of Lipid Research
|November 1, 1976
Summary
Researchers identified three new aliphatic tricarboxylic acids in rat urine. These compounds, linked to diet, suggest a potential metabolic pathway possibly involving mycolic acids.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Metabolomics
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Rat urine contains various organic compounds.
- Diet significantly influences an animal's metabolic profile.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize novel aliphatic tricarboxylic acids in rat urine.
- To investigate the dietary influence on the presence of these compounds.
Main Methods:
- Mass spectrometry was used to determine the carbon skeleton structure of hydrogenated methyl esters.
- Osmium tetroxide oxidation, trifluoroacetylation, mass spectrometry, and infrared spectrometry were employed to locate double bonds.
- Comparative analysis of urine composition based on different dietary conditions (pellets vs. sucrose and water).
Main Results:
- Three specific aliphatic tricarboxylic acids were identified: 6-carboxy-5-undecenedioic acid, 6-carboxy-5-dodecenedioic acid, and 6-carboxy-5-tridecenedioic acid.
- These compounds were detected in rats fed standard pellets but were absent when rats consumed only sucrose and water.
- The identified acids were not found in the feed pellets themselves.
Conclusions:
- The identified tricarboxylic acids are diet-dependent metabolites in rats.
- A likely metabolic origin from longer-chain compounds, potentially mycolic acids, is proposed.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise metabolic pathway and biological significance.