Metabolism of glucose and acetate in the perfused rat liver : This thesis is submitted for the partial fulfilment of the degree of Master of Science in Biochemistry, Lincoln College, University of Canterbury

Abstract

In situ perfusion of the rat liver, using Ficoll-70 in an acellular perfusate, proved an adequate technique for metabolic studies on the liver. Fasting animals for 24 hours, caused a marked decrease in the rates of lipid synthesis from glucose and acetate in the liver, but the rate of oxidation to C0₂ from these substrates remained approximately the same. A decrease in activity in the lipogenic pathways has occurred on fasting. The greater importance of the synthesis of phospholipids over the synthesis of triglycerides was shown by the maintenance of phospholipid synthesis in the livers from fasted animals with a decrease in the rate of triglyceride synthesis.