C6-C10-dicarboxylic acids in liver and kidney tissue in normal, diabetic ketotic and clofibrate-treated rats.

A combined gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric method (selected ion monitoring) to determine C6-C10-dicarboxylic acids in liver and kidney tissue is reported. Alterations in tissue concentrations of the dicarboxylic acids were reflected in urinary excretions, i.e., diabetic rats with 'ketotic dicarboxylic aciduria' had corresponding elevated concentrations of short-chain dicarboxylic acids in liver and kidney tissue. Stimulation of the enzymes of fatty acid oxidation by clofibrate was, as a sole event, not sufficient to cause elevated tissue concentrations of dicarboxylic acids, nor did it result in dicarboxylic aciduria, probably because of a relative lack in substrate (fatty acids) compared to the diabetic ketotic state, where lipolysis is increased. These results strongly indicate that 'ketotic dicarboxylic aciduria' parallels the activity of the lipid metabolism at cellular level, and that it is not just a matter of renal handling.