Effects of mesenteric vein n-butyrate infusion on liver metabolism by beef steers.

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Effects of a 3-d mesenteric vein n-butyrate infusion (25 mmol/h) on net metabolism of nutrients by portal-drained viscera (PDV) and liver were measured in six Hereford x Angus steers. Steers were fed a pelleted 75% concentrate: 25% alfalfa diet at 135 kcal of ME/kg BW.75. Six measurements of blood flow and net metabolism of nutrients were obtained at hourly intervals immediately before beginning and ending n-butyrate infusion. Measurements were obtained during two trials, with three steers (457 kg BW, 28 mo of age in Trial 1; 478 kg BW, 19 mo of age in Trial 2) in each trial. The infusion of n-butyrate increased (P less than .01) net PDV release of n-butyrate. Infusion increased net liver removal of n-butyrate (P less than .01) and L-lactate (P less than .02) and release of beta-hydroxybutyrate (BOHB; P less than .02) and increased (P less than .03) liver extraction ratio for alanine. Net total splanchnic (PDV plus liver) release of n-butyrate (P less than .03) and BOHB (P less than .01) were increased, and net total splanchnic release of L-lactate (P less than .05) and propionate (P less than .07) were decreased by n-butyrate infusion. The infusion of n-butyrate decreased (P less than .01) net PDV release and liver removal of propionate in five of six steers. Infusion had no effect (P greater than .10) on insulin and glucagon concentration or net flux. In a companion in vitro study, L-lactate metabolism to glucose and CO2 by calf hepatocytes was decreased (P less than .08) by n-butyrate addition (2.5 mM). Effects of n-butyrate on liver L-lactate and alanine metabolism suggest that pyruvate carboxylase activity was increased, but our study failed to show a consistent effect of n-butyrate infusion on liver glucose production.