Induction of peroxisomal enzymes in rat liver by dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate

Male F-344 rats, when treated with either 150 mg/kg or 300 mg/kg body weight of DHEAS for 14 days, produced a dose-dependent increase in liver weight and peroxisomal beta-oxidation activity, characteristic of peroxisomal proliferation. Contrary to previous observations in vitro, we also found a significant increase in catalase activity in rat liver with the higher dose of the steroid. Furthermore, the in vivo induction of peroxisomal beta-oxidation by DHEAS observed in our study was significantly less than reported in vitro, and also unlike previously reported in vitro results, was approximately equivalent to DHEA administered in vivo. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.