Rates of entry and oxidation of D(-)-3-hydroxybutyrate and glucose in fed and fasted chickens

Rates of entry and oxidation of D(-)-3-hydroxybutyrate (DBHB) and glucose and their contribution to the total metabolic production of CO2 were studied in fed and 48-hr fasted Leghorn roosters using primed constant intravenous infusions of NaH14CO3, D(-)-3-[3-14C]-hydroxybutyrate, and D-[U-14C] glucose. Fasting increased plasma DBHB concentrations sixfold but did not change plasma glucose levels. In both states of nutrition, rates of CO2 production were identical (P greater than .05). Mean fractions of the total CO2 derived from DBHB and glucose in fed and fasted chickens, respectively, were: DBHB, 1.7 and 9.9% (P less than .001); glucose, 29 and 10% (P less than .001). Entry rates of DBHB and glucose in fed chickens were 276 and 5936 mumoles/hr per kg (P less than .001), respectively, and in starved birds were 1703 and 2204 mumoles/hr per kg (P less than .001), respectively. Fasting increased the oxidation rate of DBHB from 124 to 737 mumoles/hr per kg (P less than .001) and decreased the oxidation rate of glucose from 1491 to 525 mumoles/hr per kg (P less than .001). During fasting, glucose homeostasis is maintained in part by concomitant decreases in glucose entry and oxidation rates. The results are discussed with reference to the sparing effect of DBHB on glucose oxidation.