Metabolism of Albumin-Bound Palmitate-1-C14 by the Isolated Perfused Goat Liver

Abstract

The data in this study indicate the importance to ruminant species of free fatty acid (FFA) catabolism by the liver. Ruminant liver FFA catabolism can give rise to blood acetate and ketone bodies. The acetate resulting from liver metabolism may account for the major share of endogenous acetate turnover. Free fatty acid catabolism in this perfusion system contributed a variable proportion of the acetate produced by the liver. The ketone bodies undoubtedly contribute to the persistent ketonemia routinely observed in these species. The relative importance of several metabolic processes involved in FFA catabolism has been indicated. The ketone body, derived acetone, and acetate specific activities suggest that 4 C units and the hydroxymethyl glutaryl-CoA pathway are of primary importance in ketone body synthesis in the ruminant liver.