Date of Award
Fall 2011
Project Type
Thesis
Program or Major
Nutritional Sciences
Degree Name
Master of Science
First Advisor
Gale B Carey
Abstract
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are synthetic flame-retardant chemicals that enter the environment and mammalian body and may disrupt glucose metabolism. This study investigated the effect of PBDEs on a key gluconeogenic enzyme, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK). Forty-eight male Wistar rats were gavaged with corn oil or corn oil containing 14 mg/kg DE-71 for 3, 14 or 28 days (N = 8 per group). At each time point, fasting plasma glucose, insulin and C-peptide were measured and liver PEPCK enzyme activity was assayed. PBDEs significantly decreased PEPCK Vmax (mumol/min/g liver weight) at 3 days by 26%; this reduction persisted through 28 days. PBDEs also reduced total PEPCK activity (mumol/min/liver) by 18% (3 days) to 41% (28 days). Fasting plasma glucose levels remained unaffected by PBDE treatment. Findings demonstrate that PBDEs reduce hepatic PEPCK Vmax as early as three days of treatment; the implications for this reduction in glucose homeostasis remain to be determined.
Recommended Citation
Nash, Jessica T., "The effect of in vivo PBDE treatment on hepatic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) enzyme kinetics in male Wistar rats" (2011). Master's Theses and Capstones. 665.
https://scholars.unh.edu/thesis/665