Changes of pyruvate metabolism during hepatocarcinogenesis by 3'-Me-DAB were investigated, using pyruvate-2-C
14 as a tracer
in vivo. The conversion of pyruvate into lactic, succinic, malic, glutamic and aspartic acid and alanine was studied by isolating them by the anion exchange chromatography of Busch
et al. The results were as follows:
1) Pyruvate metabolism did not show remarkable changes in the early stage of 2 weeks of 3'-Me-DAB feeding. Marked inhibition was observed in the late stage of 2-3 months, with a gradual advance to a extremely low state in hepatoma. But the difference between precancerous liver and hepatoma was so striking that the existence of some essential difference in the factors controling metabolism was suggested.
2) In explanation of these results, changes of the cellular metabolism, blood supply of the tissue and the cell population were discussed. But, in conclusion, the metabolic change of the cells is thought to be a principal factor.
3) In the carbon tetrachloride poisoned rats, strong inhibition of the pyruvate metabolism was demonstrated in the very early period of 4 hours after the intramuscular injection.
4) Chroline deficient diet caused a considerable inhibition of the pyruvate metabolism in the early stage of 3 days, and this state did not change markedly in the late stage of 30 days.
5) These results were discussed ih regard to the pattern of liver injury by these three substances.
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