Metabolism of sodium [1-14C] and [3-14C] propionate in the non-deficient and biotin deficient rat.

The fixation and elimination kinetics of [1-14C] propionate were studied using autoradiographic technique in the non-deficient and biotin deficient mouse. To quantitate these results, radioactivity was evaluated in the principal organs and excreta over 24 hours from non-deficient and biotin deficient rats, after intravenous injection of sodium [1-14C] and [3-14C] propionate. Radioactivity was eliminated principally via the lungs in the non-deficient rat. Fecal and urinary elimination was weak. Tissular fixation of the radioactivity 24 hours after [14C] propionate injection was carried out principally on the glandular tissues. Almost identical results were obtained in the biotin deficient animal, in which the hepatic propionyl CoA carboxylase activity is decreased by 80 per cent.