Rapid effects of dietary fish oil on peroxisomes in mouse liver.
We investigated hepatic catalase activity, and morphologic and morphometric alterations of hepatocellular peroxisomes after catalase cytochemistry, in mice given a diet supplemented with 10% Beromegan, a commercial fish oil preparation, for up to three days. Fish oil is rich in docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6 (n-3)) and in eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5 (n-3)). Hepatic catalase activity showed a gradual increase in mice fed this diet, being significantly increased (136 +/- 10 UB/g liver) after three days when compared top controls (85 +/- 11 UB/g liver). Light microscopy indicated an increase in peroxisomal staining and peroxisomal proliferation. The latter observation was confirmed by ultrastructural morphometry: number, volume density and surface density of the peroxisomes were more than doubled after a three day diet containing fish oil. Peroxisomal size was not changed. These alterations are suggestive for an increased peroxisomal metabolism induced by a diet rich in poly-unsaturated fatty acids.
Menselijke Anatomie en Embryologie, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium.
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De Craemer
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Roels
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Van den Branden
D000818:Animals; D002374:Catalase / Q000032:analysis; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005395:Fish Oils / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008830:Microbodies / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013997:Time Factors
D004041:Dietary Fats; D005395:Fish Oils; D002374:Catalase