Background: Chain-shortening via ß-oxidation from the w-end has been recognized as the major pathway for the degradation of the biologically active cysteinyl leukotrienes (LT) as well as LTB4. The metabolic compartmentation of this pathway was studied in peroxisomal-deficient and human control hepatocytes. Subjects: Hepatocytes prepared from liver biopsies in a peroxisomal-deficient patient(Zellweger syndrome) and patients with normal peroxisomal function. Interventions: LT metabolism was studied in isolated hepatocytes by incubation with w-COOH-(3H)LTE4/LTB4. Analysis was done by HPLC, UV-detection and radioactivity measurement. Results: Incubation of human control hepatocytes with w-COOH-(3H)LTE4/LTB4 resulted in the formation of the corresponding ß-oxidation products whereas ß-oxidation derivatives were not detected as products formed by peroxisome-deficient hepatocytes. Conclusions: Results showed that peroxisomes play a major role in the ß-oxidation of leukotrienes in humans.

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