Fatty acid oxidation of rat brain microvessels in hypertension, aging and experimental diabetes.

Microvessels were prepared from rat brain and their fatty acid oxidation was investigated. This activity was much higher in brain microvessels than in other vessels or organs, suggesting that brain microvessels have a high capacity for energy production. The activity was decreased in some pathological conditions, such as hypertension, aging and diabetes mellitus. The relationship between changes in fatty acid oxidation activities and injuries of brain microvessels is discussed.