THE EFFECT OF CHOLINE AND CYSTINE ON THE SERUM PHOSPHATASE AND HEPATIC DYE CLEARANCE OF DOGS MAINTAINED ON DEFICIENT DIETS

Abstract

The decrease in dye clearance and the elevation of serum phosphatase caused by a protein-deficient diet were largely prevented in adult dogs for 6-8 wks. by the daily ingestion of 0.5 g. of choline chloride. The effectiveness of choline was demonstrable only during the early wks. of the protein deficiency. The changes in dye clearance and serum phosphatase caused by the protein-deficient diet were increased by the daily ingestion of one g. of cystine. Choline-deficient puppies maintained on a diet low in methionine rapidly developed a marked increase in serum phosphatase and a decrease in dye clearance. Oral choline supplements prevented or reversed these manifestations of impaired liver function.