THE EFFECT OF CALCIUM IONS ON KETONE-BODY PRODUCTION BY RAT-LIVER SLICES

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Abstract
Ca2+ ions decrease the total amount of ketone bodies formed by liver slices from fed rats, but increase the total formed by liver slices from starved rats and rats given a low-carbohydrate diet. Ca2+ ions enhance ketone-body production by liver slices from fed and starved rats in the presence of octanoate, but the effect is more marked with starved animals. In contrast, Ca2+ ions depress the formation of ketone bodies from both fed and starved animals when pyruvate is the substrate. The ratio of D([long dash])-[beta]-hydroxybutyrate to acetoacetate formed is increased by Ca2+ ions (about 3-fold); the value for the ratio is higher in liver slices from fed animals than in liver slices from starved animals. Leakage of protein from rat-liver slices during the incubation is lower in the presence of Ca2+ ions.