[Metabolism of triglycerides of the placenta during extraorganic circulation]

An attempt has been made to evaluate the behaviour of triglycerides in the perfusional liquid of the human placenta under the influence of orciprenaline in the quantity of 40 micrograms/min and papaverine in quantity of 320 micrograms/min. In own experiments the authors discovered that these drugs which are given in the above mentioned doses increase the tension of the anaerobic metabolism of the placenta which is expressed by the quotient of lactate/pyruvate. The examinations were made on 30 placentas which were perfused extracorporally. In the control group of the placentas isotonic saline was administered. Concentration of triglycerides in the perfusion fluid was determined 30, 60, 90, 120 minute after beginning the experiment. Increase in the concentration of triglycerides after administration of orciprenaline was found and a constant decrease after the application of papaverine. Based on examinations of the metabolism of glucose in an identical experimental model and observations made by other authors a hypothesis was put forward that the increased synthesis of triglycerides is a reflection of the increasing tension of the anaerobic metabolism of the placenta. This process may constitute a compensatory mechanism of the metabolic activity of the placenta in the conditions of the limited accessibility of oxygen. The synthesis of triglycerides in ischemic tissue can perform two basic functions: 1. it assures constant regeneration of NADP, 2. it eliminates the endproducts of glycolyse transforming the pyruvate through the acetylo-CoA into the fatty acid and triglycerides. The increase of synthesis of triglycerides serves as replacement of oxygen and makes it possible to maintain the hexose-monophosphate shunt activity and Embden-Mayerhof pathway.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)