[Peroxisomes and peroxisome proliferators. Specific environmental poisons and therapeutic agents affecting lipid metabolism and hormone release].

Peroxisomes, also known as microbodies, are the most recently discovered cellular organelles. They are small, with a one-layer membrane, and are associated with several enzymes. Peroxisome proliferators are compounds which induce and increase the quantity of cellular peroxisomes and their enzymes. There are many variations of these compounds, including therapeutic agents, industrial solvents, herbicides, substances added to food to improve taste, and long fatty acids. Experimental exposure to peroxisome proliferators is associated with hepatocellular carcinoma, and peroxisome proliferators are today regarded as complete non-genotoxic carcinogens. In addition, gastric tumours originating from enterochromaffin-like cells have been detected after administrating peroxisome proliferators. Peroxisome proliferators constitute a large group of compounds that may lead to hormone release and tumour development. Peroxisomes and their proliferators are therefore of great importance in the study of hormonal carcinogenesis. This article summarizes peroxisome function and the role of peroxisomes in carcinogenesis and hormone release.