Alterations in eighteen-carbon saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acid peroxisomal oxidation in mouse brain during development and aging.

Peroxisomal oxidation was measured in mouse brain homogenate by adding cyanide to the test tube (which inhibits mitochondrial oxidation). Eighteen-carbon fatty acids (saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated) were oxidized by brain peroxisomes. At nearly all ages, oxidation of oleic acid was higher (about 2 fold) than oxidation of other eighteen-carbon fatty acids. In contrast to other fatty acids, stearic acid oxidation decreased regularly up to weaning (6 fold) and was stable thereafter. Oleic acid oxidation increased up to weaning, decreased during development up to day 70 and remained subsequently nearly stable. Linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid oxidation increased up to weaning, decreased up to day 105 and was nearly stable thereafter. Alpha-linolenic acid oxidation about was two fold lower than linoleic acid oxidation. Interestingly, peroxisomal oxidation for all fatty acids examined declined during aging, between day 365 and day 450.