Related Experiment Videos
Hepatic gluconeogenesis from alanine following surgery
The Japanese Journal of Surgery
|January 1, 1982
Summary
Post-surgery, alanine in the liver is primarily converted to glucose via gluconeogenesis. This metabolic pathway contributes significantly to the elevated blood glucose levels observed after surgical procedures.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Physiology
- Metabolic research
Background:
- Alanine metabolism in the liver is crucial for glucose homeostasis.
- Post-surgical hyperglycemia is a common clinical observation.
- The specific role of alanine in post-operative glucose production requires clarification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the metabolic fate of alanine in the liver.
- To determine the contribution of alanine to gluconeogenesis.
- To elucidate the link between alanine metabolism and post-surgical hyperglycemia.
Main Methods:
- Utilized catheterization of major blood vessels (hepatic, portal, femoral, jugular) in six male mongrel dogs.
- Administered a trace amount of 14C-alanine intravenously.
- Collected blood samples over two hours post-injection to measure 14C-glucose radioactivity.
Main Results:
- 74% of the radioactivity in protein-free serum was identified as 14C-glucose.
- Demonstrated significant conversion of 14C-alanine to 14C-glucose in vivo.
- Indicated that hepatic gluconeogenesis from alanine is a major pathway.
Conclusions:
- Alanine is primarily metabolized via gluconeogenesis to glucose in the liver post-surgery.
- Hepatic gluconeogenesis from alanine is a key factor contributing to post-surgical hyperglycemia.
- This study clarifies a significant aspect of alanine's role in glucose metabolism under stress conditions.