Effects of experimental hypo- and hyperthyroidism on hepatic long-chain fatty acyl-CoA synthetase and hydrolase

The effects of T3 treatment and thyroidectomy on rat liver microsomal long-chain fatty acyl-CoA (LCFA-CoA) synthetase and LCFA-CoA hydrolase activities were determined. Hyperthyroid rats had a 36-42% decrease in LCFA-CoA synthetase with no change in hydrolase activity. This may contribute to the redirection of fatty acids from esterification to oxidation reactions in hyperthyroidism. Thyroidectomized rats had a 40-44% decrease in synthetase and a 27-42% decrease in LCFA-CoA hydrolase activity. The decrease in both LCFA-CoA synthetase and hydrolase activities in hypothyroidism may indicate that the LCFA-CoA turnover in this futile cycle is decreased in the liver.