Pertussis toxin induces fatty liver, hyperlipemia and ketosis in hamsters.

Pertussis toxin markedly affects lipid metabolism in hamsters. The toxin induces a time-dependent and dose-dependent accumulation of triacylglycerols in the liver (fatty liver) and moderate increases in cholesterol and phospholipids. These toxin produced dramatic increases in the amounts of triacylglycerols, free fatty acids and ketone bodies in the serum and small increases in cholesterol and phospholipids. It is suggested that an enhanced and unregulated lipolysis may play a key role in the induction of these alterations by the toxin.