Brain Metabolism during Fasting*

O E Owen(Harvard University), Alfred P. Morgan(Harvard University), H. G. Kemp(Joslin Diabetes Center), James M. Sullivan(Harvard University), M. Guillermo Herrera(Joslin Diabetes Center), George F. Cahill(Joslin Diabetes Center)
Journal of Clinical Investigation
October 1, 1967
Cited by 1,635Open Access
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Abstract

Catheterization of cerebral vessels in three obese patients undergoing 5-6 wk of starvation demonstrated that beta-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.


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