Lipid and lysosomal enzymes in human fibroblasts cultured with perhexiline maleate

To understand the mechanism of the lysosomal lipid storage induced by perhexiline maleate, we performed simultaneous lipid analysis and lysosomal enzymes determinations. Human fibroblasts were cultured for 5 days in the presence of perhexiline maleate at a concentration of 2 micrograms/ml of culture medium. Lipid analysis showed that those non toxic levels determined the same changes as seen with higher concentrations of the drug (Hauw et al. 1980) i. e. increase of cholesterol and of all major phospholipids. Qualitative phospholipid pattern was not markedly changed. Lysosomal enzymes activities were not modified with the exception of sphingomyelinase which was reduced to 12% of its normal level.