(3H/14C)beta-methylheptadecanoic acid subcellular distribution and lipid incorporation in mouse heart.

Beta-methylfatty acids are transported into myocardial cells as other fatty acids would be, but are incapable, for example, of undergoing complete catabolism. Our previous studies have established the structure-location relationship and the imaging characteristics of these analogs. In the present study in mouse myocardium, microautoradiography and electron microscopy were used to show the distribution of [7,8-3H] beta-methylheptadecanoic acid [( 3H]BMHA) in mitochondria and lipid droplets. Thin-layer chromatography demonstrated the presence of [1-14C] beta-methylheptadecanoic acid [( 14C]BMHA) and its metabolites in various lipid pools. These studies complement our earlier findings which showed that similarities exist in the initial metabolic fate of BMHA and physiological fatty acids.