THE EFFECT OF MEAT AND MEAT FRACTIONS ON THE FATTY LIVER OF THE DEPANCREATIZED AND PANCREATIC-DUCT LIGATED DOG

Abstract

Twenty six depancreatized dogs and 7 dogs deprived of the external pancreatic secretion were studied for periods of 6.5-43 wks. after operation. Raw lean beef was given to 6 dogs; dried meat powder, from which the water extractives had been removed, was the dietary protein of 15 dogs, 7 of which also received the water extractives. 3 inositol, and 3 received 2 gs. of choline chloride daily. In none of the dogs on meat powder was there any very pronounced degree of fatty infiltration of the liver; in 9 of them, the total liver lipids were below 8%; and in 3, 12-13%. All of the dogs on raw meat developed pronounced fatty infiltration of the liver (15-32%) as early as 8 wks. after the operation. In the dogs on meat powder plus all of the water extractives, 3 developed fatty infiltration of the liver (20%) in 5-9 wks.; when 3 of them were sacrificed after 22 and 24 wks., the liver lipids were normal; the 7th, after 12 wks., had 13% liver lipids. Of the 3 dogs given meat powder plus inositol, 2 that received 2 gs. daily developed severe fatty infiltration. Choline chloride fed to the dogs on meat powder had no effect on the liver lipids. The fatty livers of depancreatized and pancreatic duct-ligated dogs may be due primarily to a state of protein depletion brought about by its impaired digestion and absorption. Raw lean beef is not as well absorbed as dried meat powder and in addition it apparently contains some substance or substances capable of producing fatty liver and removed with the extractives.