INFLUENCE OF DIETARY CHOLINE AND PROTEIN ON THE LEVEL OF PHOSPHOLIPID IN THE SERUM OF THE RAT

Abstract

Albino rats weighing 180–200 g. were fed diets containing 5, 9, and 19% protein. The influence of these diets, both with and without additional choline, on the level of serum phospholipid was measured and it was found that only in the presence of dietary choline, an increase of the protein content of the diet caused an elevation of the level of phospholipid in the serum. Measurement of the effect of the interval after feeding showed a significant decrease of serum phospholipid 16 hours after the removal of the choline-containing food. In choline deficiency no such effect was found. Measurement of the influence of duration of choline deficiency on the level of phospholipid in serum revealed an immediate fall to a lower level at the onset of the deficiency. This change was complete before a significant rise of the level of total liver lipids was apparent.