Evaluation of fatty acid toxicity in carnitine deficiency model mice and examination of effects on the intestinal tract

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K17272
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 58020:Hygiene and public health-related: including laboratory approach
• Research Institution: Kagoshima University
• Principal Investigator: Komaki Yuga 鹿児島大学, 医歯学域医学系, 講師 (50839438)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: L-カルニチン

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In an experiment, carnitine-deficient model mice (JVS mice) were given feed containing linoleic acid, oleic acid, stearic acid, and elaidic acid added to AIN93M to replace carbohydrates at a weight ratio of 1 or 2% for 6 weeks. Fecal ALP tended to be high, but there were large individual differences. Therefore, we focused on stearic acid and conducted an experiment in which wild-type mice and JVS mice were given feed containing AIN93M with stearic acid or octanoic acid (medium chain fatty acid) added to replace 4% carbohydrate by weight for 6 weeks. Histological findings of inflammation were observed in the small intestine of mice, but there were no differences depending on the feed. Therefore, it was concluded that the difference in toxicity to the intestinal tract depending on the type of fatty acid ingested is unclear.

Free Research Field

衛生学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

L-カルニチンと炎症性腸疾患のかかわりに関して詳細は不明であるが、炎症性腸疾患におけるL-カルニチン及び脂肪酸毒性の関わりを明らかにすることで、炎症性腸疾患の発症予防に繋がると考え行った研究であった。脂肪酸添加飼料摂取によりJVSマウスでの小腸で組織学的炎症所見を認めたことから、カルニチン欠乏に伴う遊離脂肪酸の腸管に対する影響はあるものと推察されたが、脂肪酸ごとの毒性の違いははっきりしなかった。