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Effect of Choline Supplements on Fatty Metamorphosis and Liver Cell Damage in Choline and Protein Deficiency¹

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Hektoen Institute for Medical Research and Departments of Pathology of the Cook County Hospital and Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, Illinois

Histologic and biochemical characteristics of liver cell damage and fatty metamorphosis were studied in rats on choline-deficient diets (with adequate choline supply), in both instances with and without supplementation with large doses of choline. Elevation of serum and hepatic phosphatase and reduction of serum esterase were considered chemical indications of liver cell damage, whereas BSP retention and increased bilirubinemia run parallel with fatty metamorphosis.

Rats in early choline deficiency reveal no chemical or histologic evidence of liver cell damage except fatty metamorphosis, the latter being corrected by choline supplementation. Following a high fat, low protein diet chemical and histologic evidence of both fatty metamorphosis and liver cell damage is found. Choline supplements remove large parts of the excessive lipids and their manifestations but do not influence the evidence of liver cell damage.

It appears that large choline supplements remove fat in protein deficiency with adequate intake of choline, thus probably preventing development of fatty cirrhosis, but do not influence the liver cell damage present.

² Present address: Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois.

Manuscript received 5 August 1952.