Hepatic Lipogenesis in the Preobese Zucker Rat

Abstract

Hepatic lipogenesis was examined during the preweaning and early postweaning period in Zucker fafa and lean rat pups by measuring total in vivo lipogenesis and the activity of two rate-limiting lipogenic enzymes, acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) and fatty acid synthetase (FAS). No significant differences in in vivo lipogenesis, ACC, and FAS activity were present during the preweaning period. After weaning, total lipogenesis and the two lipogenic enzyme activities, ACC and FAS, were significantly elevated in fafa rats compared to lean rats. Thus, early overproduction of lipids by the liver does not appear to be a primary effect of the fa gene.