Glutamine Synthesis in Rats with Diabetic Acidosis

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Abstract
Glutamine synthesis was studied in liver from rats made diabetic with alloxan after an elevation of blood ammonia was found in similarly treated rats. The ability to synthesize glutamine was determined from the following: 1) glutamine synthetase activity, 2) the glutamine content in liver and blood, and 3) the incorporation of N15 into glutamine as the amide. Enzyme activity was determined in liver homogenates by a procedure that is given in detail. Glutamine was determined by hydrolysis and subsequent recovery of the amide nitrogen by diffusion. All 3 of the experiments showed that glutamine synthesis is impaired in the liver of rats in diabetic acidosis. When compared with the controls, glutamine synthetase activity was reduced by a factor of 4, and the glutamine content of liver and blood was significantly lowered. The incorporation of N15 in the alloxan group was less per unit weight of liver.

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