Choline Metabolism I. the Occurrence and Prevention of Hemorrhagic Degeneration in Young Rats on a Low Choline Diet* by Wendell

The lipotropic action of choline and of related compounds has been extensively investigated since this effect was demonstrated in rats (2, 3). These studies on the relation of choline to the protein, fat, carbohydrate, and cholesterol metabolism of the rat have recently been reviewed by Best and Ridout (4). In this series of papers, evidence is presented for a hitherto unrecognized effect of choline deficiency in young rats. The deficiency was produced within 10 days on a low choline diet and was characterized by an extremely toxic state during which there occurred a marked hemorrhagic degeneration of the kidneys. The renal lesions could be prevented by amounts of choline which were insufficient for the prevention of fatty livers. Furthermore, the choline requirement for the prevention of the renal lesions was definitely related to the cystine and methionine content of the dietary protein (1, 5). Paper I of this series deals with the production of fatty livers in young rats and with the newly described effect of choline deficiency. Certain aspects of the relation of this deficiency to dietary protein, fat, and cholesterol and the interrelationship of choline, cystine, and methionine have been investigated and will be discussed in subsequent papers.