Influence of estradiol on apparent phosphatidyl choline synthesis in rats*

• Main Authors: E.N. Bowser, W.J. Henderson, H.J. Zimmerman
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 1961-07-01
• Series: Journal of Lipid Research
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022227520390167

Oophorectomized Sprague-Dawley rats, 28 to 30 days old, were maintained for 31 days on either a normal diet or a high fat, low protein, low choline diet, with or without vitamin B12. Twice weekly injections of sesame oil or estradiol in sesame oil were administered subcutaneously. The animals kept on the high fat, low choline diet showed severe fatty metamorphosis of the liver, a decreased hepatic lecithin concentration, and a twofold increase in the relative specific activity of lecithin. Estradiol inhibited fatty metamorphosis and increased the lecithin concentration slightly. The animals receiving a vitamin B12-supplemented diet and estradiol showed the greatest lipotropic effect and an increased liver lecithin concentration. Estradiol alone, or combined with vitamin B12, did not correct the apparent choline deficiency, as measued by the abnormally high rate of P32 incorporation into lecithin. The results suggest, therefore, that the prevention of fatty livers by estradiol depends on mechanisms other than those involved in the lipotropic properties of choline or vitamin B12.