Measuring gluconeogenesis using a low dose of 2H2O: advantage of isotope fractionation during gas chromatography

Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2003 May;284(5):E1043-8. doi: 10.1152/ajpendo.00485.2002. Epub 2003 Feb 11.

Abstract

The contribution of gluconeogenesis to glucose production can be measured by enriching body water with (2)H(2)O to approximately 0.5% (2)H and determining the ratio of (2)H that is bound to carbon-5 vs. carbon-2 of blood glucose. This labeling ratio can be measured using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry after the corresponding glucose carbons are converted to formaldehyde and then to hexamethylenetetramine (HMT). We present a technique for integrating ion chromatograms that allows one to use only 0.05% (2)H in body water (i.e., 10 times less than the current dose). This technique takes advantage of the difference in gas chromatographic retention times of naturally labeled HMT and [(2)H]HMT. We discuss the advantage(s) of using a low dose of (2)H(2)O to quantify the contribution of gluconeogenesis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Carbon Isotopes
  • Chemical Fractionation
  • Deuterium
  • Deuterium Oxide / administration & dosage*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
  • Gluconeogenesis*
  • Male
  • Methenamine
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Substances

  • Carbon Isotopes
  • Deuterium
  • Methenamine
  • Deuterium Oxide