CO2 formed from endogenous and exogenous substrates in perfused rat heart

Abstract

Measurements of total CO2 and C14O2 production by the isolated, perfused rat heart showed the extent of respiration dependent on endogenous and exogenous substrates. Glucose, acetate, and palmitate, but not glutamic acid or leucine, contributed appreciably to respiration. With optimal glucose and palmitate oxidation endogenous substrates accounted for over half of CO2. Endogenous substrates were adequate to maintain respiration for 30 but not for 60 min. Dependence of respiration on lipids was suggested by the similarity of metabolic CO2 in glycogen-depleted hearts perfused with no added substrate, with palmitate-1-C14, and with glucose-U-C14 plus palmitate. A reduction in C14O2 and in total CO2 formation with glucose-U-C14 in the presence of palmitate provided further support for the preferential oxidation of fatty acids. The Vo2, estimated from the total and C14O2, and an assumed respiratory quotient, indicated adequate oxygenation of the heart in the closed recirculated system. The necessity of maintaining an adequate coronary artery flow rate was indicated by an altered pattern of cell metabolism in hearts with reduced coronary perfusion.