Enzymatic activities in tissues of obese-hyperglycemic mice

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Abstract
Tissues of obese and thin littermate mice of the obese-hyperglycemic strain (C57Bl/6J-ob) were assayed for activities of [alpha]-glycero-P dehydrogenase (soluble and participate), malic dehydrogenase, lactic dehydrogenase, succinic dehydrogenase, and glucose-6-P dehydrogenase. Whole homogenates were prepared from liver, kidney, brain, rectus muscle, and epididymal fat pad. Livers of the obese group showed marked increases in [alpha]-glycero-P dehydrogenase and moderate increases in lactic dehydrogenase and malic dehydrogenase. Increases in glucose-6-P dehydrogenase were encountered in both liver and adipose tissue of obese mice, with adipose tissue showing extremely high activities of this enzyme even in the thin group. Although adipose tissue is considered the major site of fat synthesis in the organism, the present findings are consistent with assignment of a key role for liver in the enhanced synthesis of lipid associated with the obese condition. Possible relationships of these cellular enzyme alterations to the altered patterns of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism in the intact animal are discussed.