Effect of fasting on the metabolism in rat aorta

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Abstract
The oxidation of 14C-labeled glucose, .beta.-hydroxybutyrate and palmitate to CO2 and the incorporation of 14C-labeled amino acid into alkali-soluble protein were studied in the aorta from fed and fasted male Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing .apprx. 200 g. Substrate oxidation and amino acid incorporation were measured during incubation of rat aorta in vitro for 2-3 h. After fasting for 6 h there was a slight but significant increase in the plasma concentration of .beta.-hydroxybutyrate. Blood glucose was lowered after 12 h while an increase in the plasma concentration of free fatty acids was found after 24 h. A decrease in the oxidation of glucose in rat aorta was found after fasting for 12 h and with prolonged fasting a further decrease in the aortic glucose oxidation was found. After fasting for 4 days the oxidation of .beta.-hydroxybutyrate and the incorporation of 14C-leucine and 14C-phenylalanine into protein were reduced in rat aorta while the oxidation of palmitate was not altered. The effects of fasting on substrate oxidation and amino acid incorporation in rat aorta, found in this study are similar to the known effects of diabetes on vascular metabolism.