Metabolic conversion of dicarboxylic acids to succinate in rat liver homogenates. A stable isotope tracer study.

The metabolic conversion of dicarboxylic acids into succinate and other gluconeogenic intermediates in rat liver homogenates was investigated using [1,2,4-13C4]dodecanedioic acid as tracer. Isotope enrichments in 3-hydroxybutyrate, succinate, fumarate, and malate, as well as dicarboxylates (dodecanedioic, sebacic, suberic, and adipic acids) were measured with selected ion monitoring capillary column gas chromatograph-mass spectrometry. Significant enrichment in the M + 4 (four labeled carbons) ion of succinate (0.4-2.9%) was detected, unequivocally demonstrating the direct conversion of dicarboxylate into succinate. In addition, significant enrichment of the M + 2 ion of succinate was also observed. This labeled species was generated from labeled acetyl-CoA through the tricarboxylic acid cycle. The partition of acetyl-CoA into the tricarboxylic acid cycle relative to ketone body formation was higher in the beta oxidation of dicarboxylate than monocarboxylate. Therefore, in addition to the production of succinate, the beta oxidation of dodecanedioate resulted in the channeling of the acetyl-CoA produced to the tricarboxylic acid cycle instead of to acetoacetate production. The enrichments in lower chain dicarboxylates are consistent with a partial bidirectional beta oxidation of dodecanedioic acid. In addition to the expected M + 0 and M + 4 labels, significant M + 2 species were detected in suberic and adipic acids. These M + 2-labeled species were produced from the released free dicarboxylate intermediates which were then reactivated and metabolized. In these experiments, the overall succinate production was derived 4% from the direct conversion of dodecanedioic acid and 11% from the indirect route via acetyl-CoA through tricarboxylic acid.