The metabolism of chylomicron fatty acids by isolated rat heart-lung preparations.

1. An isolated rat heart-lung preparation is described. This preparation is perfused with the rat's own blood, in the absence of heparin or other anticoagulants, by the sustained efficient contractions of the heart. The preparation has only a small circulating blood volume and is stable for up to 3 hr.2. Chylomicrons which were infused continuously into the circulating blood of the heart-lung preparation were removed from the circulation.3. [(14)C]Palmitic acid incorporated into the chylomicrons was oxidized rapidly to CO(2). Rates of oxidation of chylomicron fatty acids in excess of 3 mg/hr were measured and suggest that in the intact rat, the heart and lungs could account for up to 10% of the chylomicron fatty acids oxidized.4. The infusion of glucose did not reduce the oxidation of the chylomicron fatty acids, whilst the infusion of sufficient quantities of chylomicrons in the absence of glucose spared some of the cardiac glycogen.