Comparison of the Metabolic Effects of Short and Medium Even-Chain Fatty Acids (C₈ and C₁₀) Triglycerides and Odd-Chain Fatty Acid (C₉) Triglycerides in Dogs

Abstract

Eleven dogs, starved overnight and anesthetized, were given an infusion of a 20% fat emulsion in a dose of 1 gm/kg body weight over a period of one hour. The emulsion was composed of either triglycerides with octanoic and decanoic acids or of trinonanoate. Venous blood was taken by continuous automatic sampling for glucose, lactate and pyruvate determinations, and by periodic sampling for the assay of triglycerides, non-esterified fatty acids, ketone bodies and insulin. Triglycerides with even numbered fatty acids and the corresponding fatty acids disappeared more rapidly from the blood stream than those having an odd number of carbon atoms. Ketonemia was high with both types of fat, but in particular with the C₈ and C₁₀. The attendant hypoglycemia occurred earlier and was of shorter duration with trinonanoate although of the same degree as with the triglycerides composed of even chain fatty acids. Insulin secretion was stimulated by both fats, but particularly by trinonanoate. The latter also invoked a more marked increase in lactate and pyruvate.

Key words

Even and Odd Numbered Fatty Acids - Short and Medium Chain Triglycerides - Ketone Bodies - Insulin - Glucose - Lactate - Pyruvate - Dog

1 Chargé de recherches I.N.S.E.R.M.

2 Directeur de recherches I.N.S.E.R.M.