Changes in host liver fatty acid synthase in tumour-bearing mice

The effect of the tumour-bearing state, with or without induced weight loss on host liver fatty acid synthase and acetyl coenzyme A content has been studied in NMRI mice bearing either the cachexia-inducing colon adenocarcinoma (MAC16) or the related tumour (MAC13), which does not produce weight loss. The specific activity of fatty acid synthase was increased in the host liver of animals bearing either tumour and the hepatic content of acetyl CoA was decreased. Animals bearing the MAC16 tumour fed a diet in which 80% of the calories were supplied as medium chain triglycerides (MCT) had depressed fatty acid synthase and increased acetyl CoA levels, similar to those found in non-tumour-bearing controls.