Induction of peroxisomal β-oxidation in rat liver by high-fat diets

Abstract
Liver peroxisomes were prepared by using a Percoll gradient in a vertical rotor. .beta.-Oxidation was measured in peroxisomes isolated from livers of rats fed on either high- (15% by wt) or low- (5% by wt) fat diets. The feeding of high-fat diets gave a 1.4- to 2.4-fold increase in total liver peroxisomal .beta.-oxidation, and a similar increase in specific activity. A 1.5- to 4.5-fold increase was seen in the specific activity of purified peroxisomal preparations. The reasons for these increases are discussed.