THE LIPOTROPIC ACTIVITY OF PROTEIN

Abstract

A distinct lipotropic effect of casein has been observed in rats under conditions that appear to preclude any explanation involving the methionine or choline content of the ration. Diets low in protein produce a type of fatty liver that is not prevented by choline and is histologically different from that of choline deficiency. Choline appears less effective in such diets than in ones more adequate in protein. Presumably choline has only a limited effect on abnormal fat in periportal regions because the biochemical basis of this lesion seems to involve faulty formation of lipoprotein due to shortage of essential amino acids.