Phytol and peroxisome proliferation.
Infantile Refsum's disease is characterized by high levels of phytanic acid and the absence of normal hepatic peroxisomes. We investigated the in vivo influence of phytol, a precursor of phytanic acid, on peroxisomes by both biochemical and morphological methods. Enhanced supply of phytol in the diet of adult mice causes proliferation of hepatic peroxisomes. The peroxisomal beta-oxidizing capacity as well as exchanges of acyl moieties between peroxisomes and mitochondria are raised around 5- and 2-fold, respectively. In parallel a 1.5-fold increase of total catalase and mitochondrial butyryl-CoA dehydrogenase activities occurs, whereas peroxisomal urate oxidase and glycolate oxidase remain normally active. Serum triglyceride levels are decreased after 3 wk of phytol feeding; serum cholesterol levels remain unaffected. Phytol feeding also induces peroxisome proliferation in duodenal epithelium, in myocardium and in skin sebaceous glands, but not in kidney.
D000818:Animals; D002374:Catalase / Q000378:metabolism; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D004032:Diet; D004224:Diterpenes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008830:Microbodies / Q000187:drug effects*; D010836:Phytol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012035:Refsum Disease / Q000378:metabolism*; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D004224:Diterpenes; D014280:Triglycerides; D010836:Phytol; D002784:Cholesterol; D002374:Catalase