Studies on Phospholipid Metabolism in Choline Deficient Fatty Liver

Abstract

Rats were fed a choline deficient diet and the incorporation of 32PO4, 14CH3-methioninc and 14CH3-choline into phospholipids was measured. Synthesis of cephalitis and the conversion of phosphatidyl-ethanolamine into lecithin through methylation were both decreased in the initial stage. The synthesis of cephalins as well as the synthesis of lecithin through “ indirect pathway” were recovered to the control level in the second stage of the fatty liver. Finally, the synthesis of cephalins was again decreased. Administration of methionine resulted in the recovery of the synthesis of cephalins to the control level at 4 and 20 days of feeding, when the synthesis was decreased originally without methionine administration. Methionine is not so effective in releasing fat from the liver as choline is. “Direct pathway” for the synthesis of lecithin seems to be closely connected to the fat releasing mechanism in the liver.