Hypo- and Hyperthyroidism and the Lipotropism of Diethylstilbestrol in Choline-Deficient Rats

Abstract

The lipotropic action of dietary diethylstilbestrol (DES) in male and female rats receiving a choline-deficient and low-methionine diet was not influenced either by the hypothyroidism produced by dietary thiouracil or the hyperthyroidism produced by a dietary thyroid preparation. Dietary thiouracil caused a decrease in liver lipid accumulation in the absence of dietary DES, but the thyroid preparation produced no change in liver lipid accumulation. Dietary DES caused an increase in total liver “sterols” when added to both cholinedeficient and choline-supplemented diets. This also occurred when either thiouracil or the thyroid preparation was present in the diet. When DES was added to a commercial laboratory diet, not only did the rats show increased liver “sterol” levels but, in addition, showed decreased plasma “sterol” levels.