Changes in hepatic lipogenic enzyme activities in voles and mice treated with monosodium aspartate

Changes in activities of hepatic lipogenic enzymes, ATP citrate lyase and acetyl-CoA carboxylase, were measured in voles and C57BL mice following neonatal administration of monosodium aspartate (MSA). Hepatic lipogenic enzyme activities in voles were considerably lower than those in mice; these low activities were considered to be one of the characteristics of voles as a herbivore. In the MSA-treated voles and mice, the plasma insulin concentrations increased significantly. The MSA-treated mice showed remarkable obesity and increased lipogenic enzyme activities. In the MSA-treated voles, signs of obesity were not observed and hepatic ATP citrate lyase activity increased significantly; acetyl-CoA carboxylase activity did not increase.