The possible antiketogenic and gluconeogenic effect of the omega-oxidation of fatty acids in rats.

The urinary excretion of C4--C10-dicarboxylic acids and 3-hydroxybutyric acid was examined in rats on ketogenic stimulation due to fat-feeding. The urinary excretion of succinic acid decreased while the urinary excretion of adipic and suberic acids increased prior to the appearance of ketosis, and this pattern of excretion was almost independent of the degree of the subsequent ketosis. After administering adipic acid to the ketotic rats, urinary excretion of succinic acid increased at the same time as ketosis decreased and blood glucose increased. The possibility of a physiological antiketogenic and gluconeogenic effect of the omega-oxidation of fatty acids to dicarboxylic acids is discussed.