EFFECTS OF DICARBOXYLIC-ACIDS ON FATTY ACID-METABOLIZING ENZYMES IN CULTURED RAT HEPATOCYTES

A clear chain-length dependent effect was observed for peroxisomal fat ty acid beta-oxidation and carnitine acetyltransferase and also for mi tochondrial carnitine palmitoyltransferase in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes. The extent of modulation of peroxisomal beta-oxidation wa s higher with even-carbon numbered dicarboxylic acids than with odd-ca rbon numbered ones, although such a tendency was not detected in the m itochondrial reactions, These results indicate difference in the effec t of fatty acid-derived dicarboxylates on peroxisomal and mitochondria l functions.