Inhibition of lipogenesis in rat liver by (−)-hydroxycitrate

Abstract The purpose of these investigations was to determine the effect of the stereoisomers of hydroxycitrate on the rate of lipogenesis in rat liver. These observations were made under conditions in which there was an induced rate of lipid synthesis. Only (−)-hydroxycitrate significantly decreased the conversion of [ 14 C]citrate into lipid in liver high speed supernatant and the conversion of [ 14 C]alanine into lipid in vivo . The in vivo rate of lipogenesis was markedly decreased for 150 min following the administration of (−)-hydroxycitrate either iv (0.017 mmoles/kg) or ip (0.0263 mmoles/kg). Fatty acid and cholesterol synthesis were significantly inhibited by the oral administration of (−)-hydroxycitrate (5.26, 3.95 and 2.63 mmoles/kg) only when the compound was given before the feeding period.