Lipid Metabolism in Normal and Rachitic Rat Epiphyseal Cartilage

Abstract

SummaryLipid synthesis in rat epiphyseal cartilage has been studied in relation to normal growth and the production of rickets. Cartilage was incubated in vitro in modified Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate buffer with added I-14C palmitic acid. In normal 28-day-old male weanling rats, the total uptake of 1-14C palmitic acid from the media showed a gradual increase with time. Fractionation of the lipids showed 64.6% of the label in free fatty acids; 19.2% in triglycerides; 12.8% in phospholipids; and 6.2% in cholesterol and cholesterol esters. In rachitic rats of comparable age, the total uptake of 1-14C palmitic acid was increased significantly, indicating an increased rate of lipid synthesis.