Journal of Lipid Research, Vol. 2, 278-280, July 1961
Copyright © 1961 by Lipid Research, Inc.

Influence of estradiol on apparent phosphatidyl choline synthesis in rats

E. N. Bowser , W. J. Henderson , and H. J. Zimmerman

Radioisotope Service, Veterans Administration West Side Hospital, Chicago, Illinois; and the Department of Medicine, The Chicago Medical School, Chicago 8, Illinois

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.

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