Cirrhosis of Choline Deficiency in the Rhesus Monkey. Possible Role of Dietary Cholesterol

Abstract

One of five rhesus monkeys fed a diet deficient in choline and protein for 31 mo developed signs of cirrhosis at 26 mo. Five other monkeys were fed the same diet for 14 mo, at which time cholesterol comprising 2% of the diet was added. There followed a sharp rise in hepatic lipids. One monkey developed marked hypercholesterol-emia and showed signs of cirrhosis 2 mo after cholesterol supplementation. The findings indicate that the rhesus monkey is susceptible to choline-deficiency cirrhosis. They suggest that cholesterol supplementation accelerates this process. This study was conducted at the New England Regional Primate Research Center, and supported in part under a grant from the Division of Research Resources, National Institutes of Health. © 1975, SAGE Publications. All rights reserved.