Lipid droplet accumulation in the heart during fasting

Abstract

Lipid droplet accumulation (LDA) in the myocardium in the different regions of the mouse heart was studied after varying periods of starvation. LDA appeared as early as 6 h and remained even after 72 h of starvation. Higher grades of LDA were seen in the left atrium and right ventricle. Females showed a higher degree of infiltration than males. The possible causes for the distribution of lipid droplets are discussed and it is suggested that in long-term starvation reduced oxidation of fatty acids due to mitochondrial inhibition may be a factor in the production of LDA.