Peroxisome-proliferator regulates key enzymes of the tryptophan-NAD+ pathway

Structually diverse peroxisome-proliferators (PPs) were investigated regarding their effects on NAD+ level and two key enzyme activities in the tryptophan (Trp)-NAD+ pathway in the liver of rats (Sprague-Dawley male) fed PP-containing diets freely for 2 weeks. All PPs, except for thyroxine, significantly increased hepatic NAD+ level in concert with hepatic hypertrophy. Activity of quinolinate phosphoribosyltransferase (QAPRTase), one of the key enzymes in the Trp-NAD+ pathway, was increased by the PPs which caused significant increase in the hepatic NAD+. On the other hand, alpha-amino-beta-carboxymuconate-epsilon-semialdehyde decarboxylase (ACMSDase), another key enzyme in the Trp-NAD+ pathway, was drastically inhibited by all PPs except for linolenic acid, which was only slightly inhibitory. Most PPs investigated activated peroxisomal marker enzymes such as palmitoyl-CoA oxidase, catalase, and PPAR-alpha(peroxisome-proliferator activated receptor-alpha)-dependent enzymes, such as malic enzyme and l-3-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase. NAD+ was also increased in the rat hepatocytes cultured in the medium supplemented with PPs. These data suggested that regulation of the key enzymes in the Trp-NAD+ pathway was associated with PPAR-alpha directly or indirectly, and as a consequence the hepatic NAD+ was increased by PPs.