Impaired Ketogenesis in Iron-Deficient Rat Pups

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Abstract
Livers of Fe-deficient rat pups contain significantly less carnitine and more triacylglycerol (TG) than livers of control pups. Carnitine affects ketogenesis (KG), which is a vital adaptation in the neonate. To determine if KG is impaired by low carnitine in Fe-deficient pup liver, ketone body synthesis was measured in liver mitochondria from 15-d-old pups. Litters from Fe-deficient (- Fe) and Fe-adequate (+ Fe) dams were orally supplemented with water (W) as a control, 18 mM ferrous sulfate, or 10 mML-carnitine from d 8 through d 15 of lactation. The amount of ketone bodies (β-hydroxybutyrate + acetoacetate) synthesized was 68% less (P < 0.05) in - FeW pups than in + FeW pups. Iron or carnitine supplementation increased KG in - Fe pups to + Fe KG levels, but carnitine did not affect KG in + Fe pups. Liver TG in + Fe pups was not altered by supplementation, but liver TG was lowered in - Fe pups by carnitine and iron 21% and 64%, respectively, compared to - FeW pups. The data support the hypothesis that in the Fe-deficient suckling rat, low carnitine levels may contribute to impaired ketogenesis and increased lipids in liver.