Carnitine and Altered Lipid Metabolism in Iron-Deficient Rats Pre- and Postweaning (Ketogenesis)

Triglyceride-rich liver and hypertriglyceridemia occur in offspring of iron-deficient rats. Mechansims responsible for the altered lipid metabolism have not been fully determined. The hypothesis proposed in this thesis was that severe iron deficiency in the suckling rat impairs the iron-dependent synthesis of carnitine, thereby shunting long-chain fatty acids away from oxidation and ketogenesis into triglyceride synthesis increasing triglyceride levels in serum and liver. The rationale for carnitine involvement is based on two facts: (1) carnitine synthesis in vitro requires ferrous iron; and (2) carnitine is required to transport long-chain fatty acids into mitochondria for oxidation and ketone production. Ketone bodies are a major energy source for suckling animals.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Food Science

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2015

Author dc:creator

• Bartholmey, Sandra Jean

• Health Sciences, Nutrition

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

(UMI)AAI8623260

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/77453