Abstract
An inverse correlation between blood total ketone body (TKB) and alanine (Ala) concentrations has been reported. We have previously observed an unequivocal hypoketonemic effect of Ala, thus it seems plausible to suggest that the inverse relationship in vivo between Ala and TKB is in part due to Ala inhibition of ketogenesis. With regard to the effects of TKB on Ala production and/or utilization we decided to approach the problem through two different protocol studies: (1) A stepwise infusion of sodium acetoacetate in normal subjects and (2) a somatostatin infusion in normals subjects which is known to stimulate endogenous TKB production. TKB rise was associated in both the studies with an increase of lactate levels and of lactate-pyruvate ( L P ) ratio and with a decrease of Ala and pyruvate concentrations. A positive significant correlation was observed between TKB and L P ratio and between pyruvate and Ala levels in both the studies. We suggest that the main mechanism modulating Ala decrease in ketotic states is a shift of pyruvate towards lactate.
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