Aspects of Liver Lipid Metabolism in the Biotin-deficient Rat

Abstract

The effect of biotin deficiency on some aspects of lipid metabolism in the liver of female and male rats was investigated. No significant difference was found either in total lipid content or in lipid composition in the liver of biotin-deficient rats of both sexes when compared with biotin-treated controls. Significant changes were observed in the percentage fatty acid composition, namely more 16:1 and 18.2 and less 18:0 fatty acid were found in total liver lipids of the biotin-deficient rats. The incorporation of ³²P into liver phospholipids in intact biotin-deficient rats was not altered. The rate of incorporation in vitro of acetate-1-¹⁴C into total liver lipids was significantly decreased in biotin deficiency. These data appear to indicate that biotin deficiency in the rat may result in some changes in liver lipid metabolism.