Alterations in Free Fatty Acid Metabolism in Endocrine Disorders. Part II: Sequential Studies and the Effect of 2-Deoxy-D-glucose

An inhibitor of glucose metabolism, 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) was used to study sequential changes in carbohydrate and fat metabolism in patients with various endocrine disorders. The mobilization of free fatty acid (FFA) following inhibition of glycolysis with 2-DG was compared with the mobilization following epinephrine infusion. Thyroid hormone was found to be important in the regulation of fasting levels of FFA and in the response to both 2-DG and catechol amines. Cortisone appeared to be slightly inhibitory in this response. Glucose release following inhibition of glycolysis was increased by cortisone and diminished by thyroid hormone. The thesis is advanced that relative availability of lipid or carbohydrate as energy substrate may be regulated by a balance of these hormones.