< Back

Brain Metabolism during Fasting

Owen, O. E.; Morgan, A. P.; Kemp, H. G.; Sullivan, J. M.; Herrera, M. G.; Cahill, G. F., Jr.

Date Published:

Publication:

DOI:

URL:

PMID:

Extra Links:

September 30, 1967

10.1172/JCI105650

Click to open url

Abstract:

Catheterization of cerebral vessels in three obese patients undergoing 5-6 wk of starvation demonstrated that β-hydroxybutyrate and acetoacetate replaced glucose as the predominant fuel for brain metabolism. A strikingly low respiratory quotient was also observed, suggesting a carboxylation mechanism as a means of disposing of some of the carbon of the consumed substrates.