Comparison of the potencies of (+)- and (?)-2-ethylhexanoic acid in causing peroxisome proliferation and related biological effects in mouse liver

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Abstract
Male C57BL/6 mice were exposed to 1% (w/w) (+)- or (-)-2-ethylhexanoic acid or an equimolar mixture of these enantiomers in their diet for 4 or 10 days. A significant increase in liver weight and a 2- to 3-fold increase in the protein content of the mitochondrial fraction were seen in all cases. Peroxisomal palmitoyl-CoA oxidation was increased 2- to 3.5-fold after 4 days of treatment and 4- to 5-fold after 10 days, while the corresponding increases in peroxisomal lauroyl-CoA oxidase activity were 2- to 3-fold and 9- to 12-fold, respectively. Peroxisomal catalase activity was unchanged, whereas the microsomal and cytosolic activities were increased 2- to 3-fold and 6- to 16-fold, respectively. These treatments also induced microsomal omega-hydroxylation of lauric acid 7-fold and soluble epoxide hydrolase activity in the mitochondrial and cytosolic fractions, as well as microsomal epoxide hydrolase activity about 50-100%. The only significant differences observed between the effects of (+)-2-ethylhexanoic acid and its (-)-enantiomer were on peroxisomal palmitoyl-CoA oxidation and lauroyl-CoA oxidase activity after 4 days of treatment. In both these cases the (+)-enantiomer resulted in increases which were 50-75% greater than those seen with the (-)-form.