Influence of Acetate on Glucose Metabolism in the Perfused Hind-Quarter of the Rat

The metabolism of U-14C-glucose and U-14C-acetate and the interaction between the two substrates in the perfused hind-quarter of the rat was studied. 5% of glucose taken up was oxidized to CO2, accounting for 15% of total oxygen consumption. Glucose was mainly incorporated into glycogen, while incorporation into lipids was negligible. Acetate did not significantly alter glucose uptake, 14C-glucose oxidation or the incorporation of 14C-glucose into glycogen and lipids. 45% of acetate taken up was oxidized to CO2, accounting for 20-25% of total oxygen consumption. Insulin did not affect acetate uptake but increased 14C-acetate oxidation. Oxygen consumption was slightly increased by simultaneous oxidation of glucose and acetate and in this situation the tissue content.of high-energy phosphate compounds was slightly elevated. It is concluded that only minor effects by acetate on glucose metabolism in the perfused skeletal muscle were found. The insignificant effects compared to previously reported studies on heart tissue (Neely and Morgan 1974) can be explained by differences in acetate metabolism between the two tissues.