Behavior of certain parameters of lipid and energy metabolism. IV. Regulation of lipid and energy metabolism in livers and race and mini pigs

Abstract

To characterize the lipid and the energy metabolism in the livers of genetically different types of pigs (land race pig and mini pig), the authors determined the activities of enzymes typical of and limiting these metabolic pathways. Furthermore, they measured the concentrations of typical metabolites and ascertained parameters that are of importance in energy metabolism. The concentrations of acetyl CoA and free fatty acids in the livers of mini pigs were significantly greater than those in the livers of land race pigs, whereas the cholesterol, glycerol, triglyceride and acetoacetate concentrations were reduced. The activities of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (E.C.1.1.1.49.), citrate synthase (E.C.4.1.3.7.) and ATP citrate lyase (E.C.4.1.3.8.) were lower in the livers of mini pigs than in the livers of land race pigs, whereas the activity of fatty acid synthase was higher. The concentrations of cyclic 3',5'-adenosine monophosphate (AMP) and adenosine diphosphate (ADP) were lower in the livers of mini pigs than in those of land race pigs. In land race pigs, the metabolic process seems, therefore, to be determined in favour of the degradation of free fatty acids and of the generation of energy. In mini pigs, lipogenesis in the liver appears to be the decisive metabolic pathway. The possibility of a higher coordinating control mechanism of the lipid and the energy metabolism is discussed.