Lung lipid synthesis from acetoacetate and glucose in developing rats in vitro

Acetoacetate (AcAc) and glucose were compared as energy sources and as precursors for lipid synthesis in the lungs of developing rats. Minced lung tissue was incubated with [3-14C]AcAc or [U-14C]glucose and the oxidation of each substrate to CO2 or its incorporation into tissue lipids was quantified. The highest rates of oxidation were obtained during the first 5 days for AcAc and the first 2 days of life for glucose and oxidation of AcAc was 3–4 times greater than that of glucose at all ages. Throughout postnatal development, the rates of nonsaponifiable lipid, fatty acid and hence total lipid (chloroform/methanol extractable) synthesis from AcAc were 2–3 times those of glucose. The highest rates of total lipid synthesis from AcAc and glucose were observed at birth. Glucose was utilized for glyceride-glycerol synthesis at a higher rate than AcAc. Similar patterns of incorporation of AcAc and glucose into various lipid classes were noted. Of the total lipids synthesized from AcAc and glucose, respectively, phospholipid plus monoglyceride accounted for 64% and 77%, triglyceride 13% and 13%, diglyceride plus cholesterol 11% and 4% fatty acids 9% and 4%, and cholesteryl esters 3% and 1%. At birth, the specific activities of all lipids except triglyceride derived from AcAc were greater than those from glucose. Rates of synthesis of all complex lipids declined with age. The results of these experiments demonstrate that AcAc is utilized more readily than glucose for energy production and lipid synthesis in developing rat lungs.