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Published on: June 25, 2010
Identification and quantification of octanoyl glucuronide in the urine of children who ingested medium-chain
Insights
Medium-chain triglycerides are metabolized into octanoyl glucuronide, a urinary metabolite identified in children. This study quantifies octanoyl glucuronide excretion following medium-chain triglyceride intake.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Metabolism
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) are utilized in clinical nutrition.
- Previous research focused on glucuronidation of branched-chain fatty acids.
- The metabolic fate of straight-chain fatty acids from MCTs requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and quantify urinary metabolites of medium-chain triglycerides in children.
- To investigate the glucuronidation of straight-chain fatty acids after MCT ingestion.
Main Methods:
- Urine samples were collected from children after ingestion of MCTs (C8:C10, 3:1).
- Octanoyl glucuronide was identified and quantified using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry after glucuronidase treatment.
- Urinary excretion patterns were analyzed over time.
Main Results:
- Octanoyl glucuronide was identified in the urine of four children.
- Urinary excretion peaked 1-2 hours post-ingestion.
- Excretion represented a small percentage (0.034% within 3 hours) of the administered octanoic acid.
Conclusions:
- Straight-chain fatty acids, such as octanoic acid, undergo glucuronidation in humans, in addition to beta-oxidation and omega-oxidation.
- Glucuronidation of straight-chain fatty acids occurs to a lesser extent than previously observed for branched-chain fatty acids.
- This finding expands the understanding of medium-chain fatty acid metabolism and detoxification pathways.
Abstract:
In addition to the previously described metabolites, octanoyl glucuronide was identified in the urine of four children who received medium-chain triglycerides. Octanoyl glucuronide in the urine of a child after ingestion of medium-chain triglycerides (C8:C10, 3:1) was quantitated as octanoic acid after glucuronidase treatment by means of gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The urinary excretion increased rapidly to a maximum 1-2 h after ingestion, and decreased thereafter. During 0-3 h, 6.11 mumol of octanoyl glucuronide was excreted, which comprised 0.034% octanoic acid administered as glyceride, and 0.07% octanoic acid was postulated to be excreted as glucuronide within 24 h. Neither decanoyl glucuronide nor hexanoyl glucuronide was detected. Glucuronidation of branched medium-chain fatty acids, whose beta-oxidation is hindered, has been described previously. The present findings show that even straight-chain fatty acids undergo glucuronidation, although to a lesser extent, in addition to omega-oxidation and beta-oxidation.
