Glucose metabolism in lung slices of late fetal, newborn, and adult rats.

Abstract

SummaryWe have studied several aspects of glucose metabolism in lung slices of late fetal, neonatal, and adult rats. There was no significant difference in glucose uptake or in CO2 production among the three groups. Lactic acid production was 10.9 ± 2.2, 8.5 ± 1.5, and 7.1 ± 0.5 μmoles/100 mg dry wt/hr; 15.3 ± 3.7% of glucose was metabolized via the hexosemonophosphate pathway in lungs of late fetal animals and 6.2 ± 2.5% in those of adults.