Metabolism of alpha-aminoadipic and alpha-ketoadipic acids: studies using rat and beef liver, and human leukocytes.

The reported studies have shown that alpha-DL-amino [1-14C]adipic acid is metabolized to radioactive alpha-ketoadipic acid and then to 14CO2 in rat and beef liver homogenates. It was also demonstrated that alpha-keto [1-14C]adipic acid is decarboxylated to 14CO2. The effects of several co-factors and other variables, i.e. alpha-ketoglutarate, pyridoxal phosphate, NAD, thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP), FAD, LA, and pH have also been delimited. These reactions and the effects of the co-factors were also established in freshly drawn leukocytes. Using the methods outlined, a technique for studying the metabolism of alpha-amino-adipate and alpha-ketoadipate in the leukocytes from 10 ml of blood was developed.