Odd-carbon fatty acid metabolism in hepatocytes from starved rats

The metabolism of odd-chain fatty acids was investigated in hepatocytes from 24 h-starved rats. Rates of glucose and 14CO2 production from [1-14C]propionate, [1-14C]valerate and [1-14C]nonanoate were maximal at 0.1 mM. Glucose production was greater with propionate as substrate than with valerate or nonanoate. Ketone body, lactate and pyruvate release were not affected by addition of the odd carbon fatty acids. It is concluded that hepatic odd-chain fatty acid metabolism in starvation is partly oxidative and partly gluconeogenic. Vasopressin and angiotensin II stimulated 14CO2 production from [1-14C] valerate and [1-14C]nonanoate but not from [1-14C]propionate and [1-14C]oleate in hepatocytes from starved rats. Nonanoate and valerate generate acetyl-CoA and propionyl-CoA, whereas oleate or propionate produce acetyl CoA and propionyl-CoA respectively. Given this stoichiometry, it is inferred that in hepatocytes from starved rats there must be an input of a tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediate to permit expression of the hormonal sensitivity.