Brominated vegetable oil myopathy: inhibition at multiple sites

Skeletal muscle lipid storage was induced by feeding rats brominated vegetable oil (BVO). The defect was examined by measuring radioactive substrate oxidation, intermediates of fatty acid oxidation, and activities of oxidative enzymes. One- and U-[14C] palmitate and 1-[14C] pyruvate oxidation were reduced in muscle after four doses of BVO. Inhibition of U-[14C] palmitate oxidation occurred after two doses. Short chain acylcoenzyme A(CoA) derivatives accumulated in the muscle. Several enzymes of beta-oxidation were significantly reduced, with the greatest reduction in 3-ketoacyl-CoA thiolase. The inhibition probably affected multiple sites of CoA and CoA-derivative metabolism.