Metabolomics atlas of oral 13C-glucose tolerance test in mice

Glucose tolerance represents a complex phenotype in which many tissues play important roles and interact to regulate metabolic homeostasis. Here, we perform an analysis of C-13(6)-glucose tissue distribution, which maps the metabolome and lipidome across 12 metabolically relevant mouse organs and plasma, with integrated C-13(6)-glucose-derived carbon tracing during oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). We measure time profiles of water-soluble metabolites and lipids and integrate the global metabolite response into metabolic pathways. During the OGTT, glucose use is turned on with specific kinetics at the organ level, but fasting substrates like beta-hydroxybutyrate are switched off in all organs simultaneously. Timeline profiling of C-13-labeled fatty acids and triacylglycerols across tissues suggests that brown adipose tissue may contribute to the circulating fatty acid pool at maximal plasma glucose levels. The GTTAtlas interactive web application serves as a unique resource for the exploration of whole-body glucose metabolism and time profiles of tissue and plasma metabolites during the OGTT.

Automated summary

Glucose tolerance is a complex phenotype involving multiple tissues that interact to regulate metabolic homeostasis. A study on C-13(6)-glucose tissue distribution in mice mapped the metabolome and lipidome across various organs and plasma during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). The research revealed specific kinetics of glucose utilization at the organ level during OGTT, while fasting substrates were simultaneously turned off in all organs.