The Journal of nutrition
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The Journal of nutrition · Nov 1996
beta-Hydroxybutyrate oxidation is reduced and hepatic balance of ketone bodies and free fatty acids is unaltered in carnitine-depleted, pivalate-treated rats.
These experiments were designed to determine whether carnitine depletion in the rat due to pivalate administration causes reduced beta-hydroxybutyrate oxidation and alterations in hepatic balance of ketone bodies and free fatty acids, relative to control rats. Male rats were given 20 mmol/L sodium pivalate for 2 wk to induce a secondary carnitine deficiency. Control animals were given 20 mmol/L sodium bicarbonate in their drinking water. ⋯ No significant differences were seen between the two treatment groups for either ketone bodies or free fatty acids. We conclude that the higher plasma ketone concentrations seen in food-deprived, pivalate-treated rats were due to a lower rate of ketone utilization. No evidence of pivalate influence upon ketone production was found.