Original Article

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

  1. Fatma J. Al-Saeedi1,*,
  2. Behling Cheng2

Article first published online: 24 JAN 2013

DOI: 10.1111/cpf.12027

Additional Information

How to Cite

Al-Saeedi, F. J. and Cheng, B. (2013), Choline treatment affects the liver reticuloendothelial system and plasma fatty acid composition in diabetic rats. Clinical Physiology and Functional Imaging. doi: 10.1111/cpf.12027

Author Information

  1. 1

    Nuclear Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, Kuwait City, Kuwait

  2. 2

    Biochemistry Departments, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, Kuwait City, Kuwait

* Correspondence
Dr Fatma J. Al-Saeedi, Department of Nuclear Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, P.O. Box: 24923, postal code/zip 13110 Safat, Kuwait City, Kuwait
E-mail: fatimas@hsc.edu.kw

Publication History

  1. Article first published online: 24 JAN 2013
  2. Manuscript Accepted: 27 DEC 2012
  3. Manuscript Received: 16 MAR 2012

Funded by

  • Kuwait University Research Administration. Grant Number: MN01/07

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Keywords:

  • 99mTc BrIDA;
  • 99mTc colloid;
  • choline effect;
  • diabetes;
  • fatty acid profile;
  • palmitoleic acid

Summary

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 99mTc 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.

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