The inhibitory effect of acetoacetate on myocardial contraction

Abstract

Williamson and Krebs 1 and Hall 2 have recently reported that acetoacetate, when added to the perfusion medium of an isolated heart in concentrations as high as or higher than in cases of mild ketosis, is oxidised in preference to glucose. These workers, and also Ottaway and Sarkar,3 have shown that lactate accumulated in the perfusion fluid whenacetoacetate was added to a perfusion medium containing glucose, indicating the inhibition by acetoacetate of pyruvate oxidation. We therefore tested the effect of acetoacetate on heart performance, and demonstrated that high concentrations of acetoacetate wiIl inhibit ventricular contraction.