We examined changes in the enzyme activities and metabolites related to hepatic fatty acid synthesis in fasted rats with sepsis produced by cecal ligation and puncture. Sepsis stimulated the in vivo incorporation of tritiated water into hepatic fatty acids and nonsaponifiable lipids. The activities of acetyl-CoA carboxylase, ATP-citrate lyase, and NADPH-generating enzymes (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and malic enzyme), the tissue levels of citrate and malonyl-CoA, and the dephosphorylation of carboxylase were increased in the livers of fasted septic rats compared with fasted sham-operated control rats. These results indicate that sepsis stimulated hepatic lipogenesis and sterologenesis in fasting rats. Furthermore, sepsis reduced the specific activity of hepatic mitochondrial carnitine palmitoyltransferase and raised that of glycerophos-phate acyltransferase, suggesting an increased diversion of cytosolic acyl-CoA towards esterification. These intrahepatic metabolic changes strongly suggest that sepsis causes anabolic action on hepatic lipid metabolism.