Peroxisome Proliferators and Hepatocarcinogenesis

  • Hong, Jin-Tae (National Institute of Toxicological Research, Korea Food and Drug Administration)
  • Published : 1997.09.01

Abstract

Peroxisome is a single membrane-bounded organelle found in hepatic parenchymal cells and kidney tubular epithelial cells. A number of enzymes exist in peroxisome contributing to anabolic and catabolic peroxisomal functions. Extramitochontriai $\beta$-oxidation of fatty acid is a major function of peroxisome. Peroxisomes can be proliferated by many structually unrelated compounds such as hypolipidemic drugs, plasticizers, pesticides, some pharmaceutical agents and high fat diet. These chemicals, called peroxisome proliferators, act via the peroxisome proliferator activated receptor, to induce peroxisome proliferation, hepatomegaly and hepatocellular carcinoma in rodent. The clear mechanisms of peroxisome proliferator-induced hepatocarcinogenesis have been not demonstrated. Since they are not genotoxic, biochemical changes or changes in gene expressions may be involved. A free radical theory has been suggested based on the finding of oxidative damages of macromolecules by hydrogen peroxide released in the peroxisomal $\beta$-oxidation of fatty acid. Increased cell proliferation by a peroxisome proliferator has been also thought to be an important factor in the hepatocarcinogenesis as suggested in other cases of nongenotoxic carcinogenesis. The alternation of eicosanoid concentrations by peroxisome proliferators may be important in the peroxisome proliferator-induced hepatocarcinogenesis since peroxisome proliferators decrease the concentration of eicosanoids, and the peroxisome proliferator ciprofibrate-eicosanoid combination is comitogenic and costimulates some mitogenic signals in hepatocytes. All of proposed mechanisms should be considered in the peroxisome prolifrator-induced hepatocarcinogenesis.

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