Turnover rate and oxidation of different free fatty acids in man during exercise

Abstract

Palmitate-9, 10-H3 has been infused intravenously at a constant rate together with various C14-labeled fatty acids in healthy subjects at rest and during exercise. No significant differences in the rates of fractional turnover were found between H3-labeled palmitate and C14-labeled palmitate or oleate. Retention of a considerably larger fraction of C14-labeled linoleate in the blood plasma precluded accurate assessment of its fractional turnover rate. The rates of oxidation of palmitate-I-C14, palmitate-U-C14, oleate-I-C14, and linoleate-I-C14 during exercise were similar. The relative abundance of palmitate, oleate, and linoleate in the free fatty acids of plasma changed little during exercise. It is concluded that palmitate-I-C14 is a valid tracer for measuring the turnover rate and oxidation of at least three-fourths of circulating free fatty acids under the conditions of study. Recycling of radioactivity in triglyceride fatty acids of plasma was similar for H3-labeled palmitate and C14-labeled palmitate and oleate, both at rest and during exercise. The plasma concentration of glycerol increased promptly with exercise. Changes in its concentration closely followed those in the turnover rate of free fatty acids, but were of greater magnitude. plasma glycerol during exercise; plasma triglycerides, formation from different FFA; respiratory quotient during exercise Submitted on October 4, 1963