The effect of digitonin and altered thyroid status on palmitic acid oxidation by isolated rat liver mitochondria.

The effect of altered thyroid status and food-deprivation on palmitic acid oxidation in isolated rat liver mitochondria was studied in the absence and presence of digitonin. Mitochondria prepared from triiodothyronine-treated (hyperthyroid) and food-deprived rats metabolized palmitic acid at the same rate as the untreated controls (euthyroid). Mitochondria prepared from thyroidectomized (hypothyroid) rats metabolized palmitic acid at a rate lower than was that seen with mitochondria from euthyroid controls in either the fed or fasted state.