In Silico Evidence for Gluconeogenesis from Fatty Acids in Humans
2011

Gluconeogenesis from Fatty Acids in Humans

publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Christoph Kaleta, Luís F. de Figueiredo, Sarah Werner, Reinhard Guthke, Michael Ristow, Stefan Schuster

Primary Institution: Friedrich Schiller University of Jena

Hypothesis

Can fatty acids be converted into glucose in humans?

Conclusion

The study found that gluconeogenesis from fatty acids is feasible in humans through several identified metabolic pathways.

Supporting Evidence

  • Numerous pathways for gluconeogenesis from fatty acids were identified.
  • Four moles of acetyl-CoA can be converted into one mole of glucose.
  • The study has implications for understanding metabolism during starvation and ketogenic diets.
  • New pathways involving D-lactaldehyde were discovered.
  • Energy efficiency of gluconeogenesis from fatty acids was analyzed.

Takeaway

This study shows that our bodies can turn fat into sugar, which is surprising because most people think we can't do that.

Methodology

The researchers used a genome-scale metabolic model and elementary flux pattern analysis to identify pathways for gluconeogenesis from fatty acids.

Limitations

The study's findings may not apply universally across all species due to differences in metabolic pathways.

Statistical Information

P-Value

0.005

Statistical Significance

p=0.005

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pcbi.1002116

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