Gluconeogenesis in isolated chicken hepatocytes: effect of fatty acids, beta-hydroxybutrate, ethanol, and various pyruvate/lactate ratios.

The effect of fatty acids beta-hydroxybutyrate, ethanol, and different pyruvate/lactate ratios on gluconeogenesis in isolated chicken hepatocytes was investigated. Glucogenesis was significantly affected by a change in the oxidation-reduction (pyruvate/lactate) ratio, and this effect was greater than could be accounted for by the additive effects of these substrates. Substituting lactate with nongluconeogenic substrates, such as beta-hydroxybutyrate or ethanol, increased the formation of glucose by 80 and 200%, respectively, demonstrating the beneficial effect of the increased reducing equivalents in the hepatocytes. Oleic acid per se had no effect but when added complexed with albumin, it had a negative effect on gluconeogenesis.