Choline treatment affects the liver reticuloendothelial system and plasma fatty acid composition in diabetic rats.

Purpose: This study investigated effects of choline treatment on hepatic reticuloendothelial and biliary functions and plasma fatty acid composition in diabetic rats.

Methods: Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin (STZ). Choline was administered to untreated rats and a portion of STZ-treated rats for two sequences of five consecutive days, separated by a 2-day interval. Hepatic functions were studied using (99m) Tc Tin (II) colloid (TIN) and 99 mTc mebrofenin [bromo-iminodiacetic acid (BrIDA)] imaging. The TIN-uptake ratios (organ/whole body) of heart, liver and spleen, and the BrIDA-uptake ratios (organ or tissue/whole body) of liver, biliary tree and abdomen were obtained following imaging studies. Fatty acids were analysed by GC/MS.

Results: Choline treatment did not attenuate hyperglycaemic development. Diabetic rats showed (i) a decreased TIN-uptake ratio in liver with co-increased ratios in heart and spleen; choline treatment diminished these changes, (ii) elevated BrIDA-uptake ratios in biliary tree and abdomen but not in liver; choline treatment did not attenuate the elevations and (iii) decreases in plasma palmitoleic acid and oleic acid, reflecting an impaired stearoyl-CoA desaturase function; choline treatment did not affect the diminutions, but caused a decrease in arachidonic acid with a co-increase in linoleic acid. Some rats developed hypoproteinemia (HPO). HPO rats also exhibited decreases in plasma palmitoleic acid and oleic acid. Diabetes caused almost absence of palmitoleic acid in HPO rats. Choline treatment exerted no effect on the plasma fatty acid composition of diabetic HPO rats.

Conclusions: Choline treatment affected hepatic reticuloendothelial function and plasma fatty acid composition, but not hepatobiliary function, in diabetic rats. Whether choline treatment is beneficial requires further studies.