Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “CHOLINE”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Alteration in the characters of CDP-choline synthetase and phospholipid-choline exchange enzyme upon choline starvation in Chinese hamster ovary cells.

When CHO-K1 cells are cultivated under choline-deficient conditions, the specific activity of CDP-choline synthetase increases and conversely phospholipid-choline exchange enzyme activity decreases, whereas the other three known enzyme activities related to synthesis of phosphatidylcholine remain unchanged. The changes of the former two enzyme activities take place immediately after removal of choline from the medium. The altered activities readily revert to the control levels upon resupplementation of choline to the starved cell culture. The changes upon choline starvation are sensitive to cycloheximide, while the restoration processes are insensitive to the drug. The activity of CDP-choline synthetase in unstarved control cells is found in both the soluble and membrane fractions. The Km value of the enzyme in the soluble fraction for choline phosphate differs from that in the membrane fraction. Asolectin alters the Km value of the former to a value close to that of the latter and raises its Vmax value, whereas it hardly affects the Km and Vmax values of the latter. In choline-starved cells, the activity is exclusively found in the membrane fraction. The change in the subcellular distribution of the activity upon choline starvation is sensitive to cycloheximide. The altered subcellular distribution reverts to the initial status upon resupplementation of choline even in the presence of cycloheximide. The activity of the phospholipid-choline exchange enzyme is exclusively found in the membrane fraction for both starved and control cells. The properties of the enzyme are altered upon choline starvation with respect to the Vmax value for choline and the Km and Vmax values for Ca2+. These altered kinetic parameters are changed by egg yolk phosphatidylcholine so as to be indistinguishable from those in unstarved control cells. We discuss the mechanism of the alterations in the characters of both enzymes in response to choline starvation.

Animals↗

Effect of ethyl choline mustard on choline dehydrogenase and other enzymes of choline metabolism.

The effect of ethyl choline mustard (ECMA), and effective irreversible inhibitor of choline transport, was investigated on the enzymes of choline metabolism. ECMA at concentrations of 50 microM hardly affected choline acetyltransferase and caused only a 20% inhibition of choline kinase at a concentration of 1 mM. However, the mustard was an extremely effective inhibitor of choline dehydrogenase, producing 50% inhibition at concentrations of 6 microM. The inhibition was prevented by incubation in the presence of choline or by prior reaction of the mustard with thiosulphate. Separation of the components of the ECMA solution on TLC suggested that only the compound with an aziridine ring was an effective inhibitor of choline dehydrogenase. The inhibition was resistant to the washing out of excess unreacted mustard. The rate constant of inhibition was 395 M-1 X S-1. By the use of [3H]ECMA a single polypeptide in the enzyme preparation having a MW of 67,000 was labelled. The labelling was thiosulphate-sensitive and prevented by incubation with choline. It is concluded that ECMA is an irreversible inhibitor of choline dehydrogenase. It is at least as effective an inhibitor of choline dehydrogenase as of the choline transport system, although it does not appreciably inhibit choline acetyltransferase or choline kinase in the micromolar range.

Alcohol Oxidoreductases↗

Changes of plasma free choline and choline-containing compounds' concentrations and choline loss during hemodialysis in ESRD patients.

OBJECTIVES: This study was undertaken to determine the changes in plasma free choline and choline-containing compounds in end stage renal disease (ESRD) and to determine if they were lost into the dialysate during hemodialysis. DESIGN AND METHODS: Plasma and dialysate free choline, phosphocholine and phospholipid-, phosphatidylcholine-, sphingomyelin-bound choline were measured before, during and after hemodialysis. RESULTS: Plasma free and bound choline concentrations (mean +/- standard error of the mean) were 12.9 +/- 0.6 and 2697 +/- 57 microM or 37.3 +/- 0.9 and 2792 +/- 98 microM in controls or in ESRD patients, respectively. Free choline concentrations were correlated (r = 0.598; p < 0.001) with the time the patients were subjected to hemodialysis. Plasma free choline and phosphocholine concentrations are decreased by a total of -8.1 +/- 0.6 micromol/L and -88 +/- 8 micromol/L, respectively; phospholipid-, phosphatidylcholine- and sphingomyelin-bound choline are increased, during hemodialysis. Patients lost about 350 micromoles of choline into the dialysate during hemodialysis. CONCLUSION: Plasma free choline concentrations are elevated in ESRD, and a considerable amount of choline is lost into the hemodialysate.

Adult↗

Free choline and choline metabolites in rat brain and body fluids: sensitive determination and implications for choline supply to the brain.

In the central nervous system, choline is an essential precursor of choline-containing phospholipids in neurons and glial cells and of acetylcholine in cholinergic neurons. In order to study choline transport and metabolism in the brain, we developed a comprehensive methodical procedure for the analysis of choline and its major metabolites which involves a separation step, selective hydrolysis and subsequent determination of free choline by HPLC and electrochemical detection. In the present paper, we report the levels of choline, acetylcholine, phosphocholine, glycerophosphocholine and choline-containing phospholipids in brain tissue, cerebrospinal fluid and blood plasma of the untreated rat. The levels of free choline in blood plasma (11.4 microM), CSF (6.7 microM) and brain intracellular space (64.0 microM) were sufficiently similar to be compatible with an exchange of choline between these compartments. In contrast, the intracellular levels of glycerophosphocholine (1.15 mM) and phosphocholine (0.59 mM) in the brain were considerably higher than their CSF concentrations of 2.83 and 1.70 microM, respectively. In blood plasma, glycerophosphocholine was present in a concentration of 4.58 microM while phosphocholine levels were very low or absent (< 0.1 microM). The levels of phosphatidylcholine and lyso-phosphatidylcholine were high in blood plasma (1267 and 268 microM) but very low in cerebrospinal fluid (< 10 microM). We concluded that the transport of free choline is the only likely mechanism which contributes to the supply of choline to the brain under physiological conditions.

Acetylcholine↗

Effects of extracellular choline concentration and K+ depolarization on choline kinase and choline acetyltransferase activities in superior cervical sympathetic ganglia excised from rats.

The activities of choline kinase (CK) and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) were examined in vitro in superior cervical sympathetic ganglia (SCG) excised from rats following aerobic incubation for 1 h in a medium containing various choline concentrations, with and without application of a high KCl level (70 mM). Ganglionic CK activity was strongly inhibited (by approximately 75%) at low extracellular choline concentrations (1-5 microM) but rose as the choline concentration was raised to 10-50 microM in the incubation medium, then fell and rose again with further increases in choline concentration. A similar but moderate accelerative effect on ganglionic CK activity was also observed after addition of acetylcholine (ACh; 1 mM) without eserine. Whereas specific CK activity did not change significantly in axotomized SCG, in which the ratio of glial cells to neurons is greatly increased for a week after the operation., it was remarkably increased after denervation, in which the preganglionic cholinergic nerve terminals had degenerated. When either a high KCl level or hemicholinium-3 (HC-3; 50 microM) was added to the medium in the presence or absence of choline, ganglionic CK activity was markedly inhibited. On the other hand, ChAT activity in the SCG remained at a significantly high level during incubation with low choline concentrations (1-10 microM), but the enhanced enzyme activity became inhibited as the extracellular choline concentration was raised to 50-100 microM in the medium. Addition of HC-3 to the medium did not alter ganglionic ChAT activity at low choline concentrations. However, application of quinacrine (10 microM) considerably reduced ganglionic CK activity and also suppressed ChAT activity induced by high KCl levels.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Effect of choline deficiency on utilization of labeled precursors of choline and turnover of choline in the liver of mature Japanese quail.

Studies were conducted to determine the effect of choline deficiency on utilization of various labeled precursors of choline and rate of choline biosynthesis in mature Japanese quail. A deficiency of dietary choline did not change the in vivo incorporation of 14C-label from (1,2-14C) ETHANOLAMINE, N, N-dimethyl (1,2-14C) ethanolamine, and L-(methyl-14C) methionine into liver phosphatidylcholine (PC) or total phospholipids. Incorporation of radioactivity from (14C) serine into liver PC was increased, but the difference was not significant (PGREATER THAN3.35). In vitro studies confirmed these observations as there were no differences in liver microsomal methyltransferase activities, expressed as the incorporation of methyl-14C from labeled S-adenosylmethionine into microsomal PC from quail fed a purified diet with with or without choline. Rats appeared to incorporate an increased amount of 14C into PC when fed a diet devoid of choline, but the differences were not significant. There were differences in methyltransferase activities among species, and quail had the lowest activity. A slower turnover of choline was found in quail liver (t1/2=7.5 hours) as compared with that of hen liver (t1/2=2.0 hours). The methyltransferase responsible for the first methylation of phosphatidyl-ethanolamine from quail liver appears to differ from most other biosynthetic enzymes in that it occurs in liver and catalyzes the reaction at a slow rate but cannot adapt to exogenous choline supply to meet the requirements for normal bodily functions in quail.

Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena↗

Construction of a plasmid carrying both CTP synthetase and a fused gene formed from cholinephosphate cytidylyltransferase and choline kinase genes and its application to industrial CDP-choline production: enzymatic production of CDP-choline from orotic acid (Part II).

A new method for enzymatic production of cytidine diphosphate choline (CDP-choline) from orotic acid and choline chloride was developed. To establish an industrial manufacturing process, we constructed a plasmid, pCKG55, which simultaneously expressed in Escherichia coli the three following enzymes; CTP synthetase (encoded by the pyrG gene from E. coli), cholinephosphate cytidylyltransferase (encoded by the CCT gene from Saccharomyces cerevisiae), and choline kinase (encoded by the CKI gene from S. cerevisiae). CCT and CKI genes on pCKG55 were designed to be expressed as a single CCT/CKI fused protein. This CCT/CKI fused protein retained both activities and the thermal stability of its cholinephosphate cytidylyltransferase activity was nearly the same as the native CCT enzyme. Corynebacterium ammoniagenes KY13505 and E. coli MM294/pCKG55 were cultured in 5-liter jar fermentor independently. Equal volumes of each broth were mixed in a 2-liter jar fermentor, and then the enzymatic reaction was done using 47 mM orotic acid and 60 mM choline chloride as substrates. After 23 h of the reaction at 32 degrees C, 21.5 mM (11 g/liter) of CDP-choline was accumulated.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Further biological activities of the novel choline analogs selenonium choline and acetylselenonium choline.

The pharmacological actions of the novel choline analog, selenonium choline [(CH3)2Se+CH2CH2OH] and its acetyl ester acetylselenonium choline (ASeCh) were studied in vivo and in vitro. ASeCh produced a dose-related decrease in mean arterial pressure in the rat similar to acetylcholine (ACh) but was 1% to 2% as potent. ASeCh demonstrated agonist activity on the rat isolated ileum and was approximately 2% as active as ACh. Selenonium chlorine (SeCh) was taken up and acetylated in brain tissue slices in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. The use of KCl as a loading stimulus did not increase the uptake of SeCh but increased tissue levels of ASeCh 1.5-fold over the control concentrations. The uptake of SeCh was described by a single low-affinity uptake component (Km = 167 microM) that was not blocked by hemicholinium-3. In contrast, hemicholinium significantly blocked the acetylation of SeCh. Compared with basal release, depolarization with KCl caused a significant release of ASeCh into the incubation medium. A neural specificity was suggested for the in vitro uptake of SeCh. Acetylation of SeCh in vivo in the rat after intraventricular administration was similar to the extent of acetylation of [2H4]-choline. ASeCh bound to both M1 and M2 cholinergic receptors with 2% to 3% of the affinity observed for ACh. These data suggest that SeCh may satisfy criteria for a false neurotransmitter precursor.

Acetylation↗

Effects of choline-free plasma induced by choline oxidase on regional levels of choline and acetylcholine in rat brain.

Choline-free plasma (CFP) was induced in rats by intravenous (IV) injection of 56.0 x 10(2) units kg-1 of choline oxidase (ChO) which completely metabolized the free Ch circulating in the plasma for at least 15.0 h and caused subsequent significant decrease in the concentration of free Ch in the three brain regions examined, the striatum, hippocampus, and cortex. However, the treatment did not affect concentrations of acetylcholine (ACh) in these regions. By contrast, intraperitoneal (IP) injection of 1.0 mmol kg-1 Ch chloride resulted in a maximum concentration of free Ch in plasma in 5 min, after which tissue Ch in all regions examined increased (p < 0.001). Concomitant increases were observed in cortical and hippocampal ACh (p < 0.05) 20 min after the injection. It is thus suggested that the brain may possess compensative mechanisms to prevent the supply of free Ch from circulating to the brain during synthesis of ACh in the brain. It is also suggested that the CFP rat would be a useful and readily available animal model for future study.

Acetylcholine↗

Uptake and storage of choline by rat brain: influence of dietary choline supplementation.

In order to elucidate the regulation of the levels of free choline in the brain, we investigated the influence of chronic and acute choline administration on choline levels in blood, CSF, and brain of the rat and on net movements of choline into and out of the brain as calculated from the arteriovenous differences of choline across the brain. Dietary choline supplementation led to an increase in plasma choline levels of 50% and to an increase in the net release of choline from the brain as compared to a matched group of animals which were kept on a standard diet and exhibited identical arterial plasma levels. Moreover, the choline concentration in the CSF and brain tissue was doubled. In the same rats, the injection of 60 mg/kg choline chloride did not lead to an additional increase of the brain choline levels, whereas in control animals choline injection caused a significant increase; however, this increase in no case surpassed the levels caused by chronic choline supplementation. The net uptake of choline after acute choline administration was strongly reduced in the high-choline group (from 418 to 158 nmol/g). Both diet groups metabolized the bulk (greater than 96%) of newly taken up choline rapidly. The results indicate that choline supplementation markedly attenuates the rise of free choline in the brain that is observed after acute choline administration. The rapid metabolic choline clearance was not reduced by dietary choline load. We conclude that the brain is protected from excess choline by rapid metabolism, as well as by adaptive, diet-induced changes of the net uptake and release of choline.

Animals↗

Cytidinediphosphocholine (CDP choline) for cognitive and behavioural disturbances associated with chronic cerebral disorders in the elderly.

BACKGROUND: The prevalent use of this compound in the treatment of disorders of a cerebrovascular nature does not mean that a homogeneous and consistent application of this therapy has been applied. Dosage, method of administration, and selection criteria of patients have varied. The modalities of the studies, including length of observation, severity of disturbance, and methodology of the evaluation of the results were also heterogeneous. In spite of uncertainties about its efficacy, CDP-choline is a frequently prescribed drug for cognitive impairment in several European countries, especially when the clinical picture is predominantly one of cerebrovascular disease, hence the need for this review. OBJECTIVES: The objective is to assess the efficacy of CDP-choline (cytidinediphosphocholine) in the treatment of cognitive, emotional, and behavioural deficits associated with chronic cerebral disorders of the elderly. SEARCH STRATEGY: The CDCIG register of trials was searched for all relevant, non-animal randomised controlled trials using the terms CDP-choline/CDP, Citicoline, Cytidine Diphosphate Choline and Diphosphocholine. The Psychlit (1974-1996), Psychiatry (1980-1996) and MEDLINE electronic databases have been searched independently by the reviewers. The reviewers have also contacted manufacturers of CDP-choline. SELECTION CRITERIA: All relevant, non-animal, unconfounded, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised trials of CDP-choline in cognitive impairment due to chronic cerebral disorders will be considered for inclusion in the review. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two reviewers independently reviewed the included studies, extracted the data, and pooled it when appropriate and possible. The pooled odd ratios (95% CI) or the average differences (95% CI) were estimated. No intention-to-treat data were available from the studies included. MAIN RESULTS: Seven of the included studies observed the subjects for a period between 20 to 30 days, one study was of 6 weeks duration, 2 studies used cycles extending over 2 and 3 months and one study observed continuous administration over 3 months. The studies were heterogeneous in dose, inclusion criteria for subjects, and outcome measures. Results are reported for the domains of attention, memory testing, behavioural rating scales, global clinical impression and tolerability. There was no significant evidence of a beneficial effect of CDP-choline on attention. There were modest, but significant, beneficial effects of CDP-choline on memory function and behaviour. For the outcome of clinical global impression, the odds ratio for improvement in the subjects treated with CDP-Choline as opposed to the subjects treated with placebo was 8.89 [5.19, 15.22]. The drug was well tolerated. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS: There is some evidence that CDP Choline has a positive effect on memory and behaviour in at least the short term. The evidence of benefit from global impression is stronger, but is still limited by the duration of the studies. There is evidence that the effect of treatment is more homogeneous for patients with cognitive impairment secondary to cerebrovascular disorder. Other studies with a more appropriate length of treatment are recommended owing to the chronic and irreversible nature of the disorders for which this treatment is indicated.

Aged↗

Choline metabolism and membrane formation in rat hepatoma cells grown in suspension culture. 3. Choline transport and uptake by simple diffusion and lack of direct exchange with phosphatidylcholine.

The initial rate of incorporation of methyl-labeled choline into the acid-soluble pool (phosphorylcholine) of Novikoff hepatoma cells growing in suspension culture was investigated as a function of the choline concentration in the medium. Below, but not above, 20 micro m, choline incorporation followed simple Michaelis-Menten kinetics at 24, 33, or 37 degrees C with an apparent K(m) of 4-7 micro m, and the V(max) values decreased with a Q(10) of about 2.3 with a decrease in temperature. Between 20 and 500 micro m, on the other hand, the rate of incorporation increased linearly with an increase in choline concentration in the medium, and the increase in incorporation rate with increase in choline concentration was about the same at all temperatures tested. The data suggest that at low concentrations choline is taken up mainly by a transport reaction, whereas at concentrations above 20 micro m, simple diffusion becomes the principal mode of uptake. The energy of activation for choline transport was estimated from an Arrhenius plot of the V(max) values as 67,000 J (16 kcal)/mole. At concentrations below 20 micro m, choline incorporation into membrane phosphatidylcholine also followed simple Michaelis-Menten kinetics, and the apparent K(m) was about the same as that for choline transport. The data support the conclusion that the transport of choline into the cell is the rate-limiting step in the conversion of choline to phosphorylcholine and its incorporation into phosphatidylcholine. At concentrations above 100 micro m, on the other hand, the ultimate rate of choline incorporation into phosphatidylcholine was independent of the choline concentration in the medium or the intracellular level of phosphorylcholine. Further, the rate of turnover of the choline moiety of phosphatidylcholine (half-life, 20-24 hr) either in whole cells or during incubation of isolated membrane fractions was unaffected by the presence of an excess of choline in the medium. The overall results indicate that a direct exchange between free choline and the choline moiety of phosphatidylcholine does not play a significant role in the incorporation of choline into phosphatidylcholine by Novikoff cells or in the turnover of the choline moiety of phosphatidylcholine, and that labeled choline therefore is a useful precursor in studying the synthesis and turnover of membrane phosphatidylcholine in these cells.

Animals↗

Diurnal pattern of choline concentrations in serum of pigs as influenced by dietary choline or lecithin intake.

Athletes especially experience a significant decrease in plasma choline concentrations during exercise which can be compensated in part by consumption of lecithin, a natural source of choline. In addition, the effect of lecithin on plasma choline concentrations in humans is obviously considerably greater and more prolonged than that of an equivalent amount of choline salts. Serum choline acts as a precursor for the synthesis of acetylcholine, which, in turn, acts as a neurotransmitter. The effect of dietary choline derived from either choline chloride or lecithin on the diurnal pattern of free choline concentrations in serum was studied using the pig as a potential model for humans. Six barrows, average initial body weight 120 kg, were fitted with permanent catheters in the jugular vein to determine the diurnal pattern of serum choline concentrations as affected by dietary choline or lecithin intake. The pigs were fed two semi-purified diets twice daily (1,500 g each meal) that contained corn, casein and a mineral-vitamin premix supplemented with equal amounts of choline (480 mg/kg) from either choline chloride or lecithin (BIOFOSFATIN). The diets supplemented with choline were fed at 08.00 h in the morning and the experiment was carried out according to a 3 x 2 cross-over design. All pigs received the basal diet that contained 450 mg/kg choline at the evening feeding (20.00 h). Following an adaptation period of 6 d, blood was collected on d 7; 0.5 h before the morning feeding and 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 h postprandially. The determination of serum choline concentrations was carried out by tandem-mass spectroscopy. There were no differences (p > 0.05) between the two diurnal patterns of the serum choline concentrations. Both diurnal patterns showed a postprandial peak at 0.5 h (2.71 mg/l for choline chloride and 2.35 mg/l for lecithin supplementation) and decreased after 2 h postprandially to the preprandial concentrations. In conclusion, there were no differences (p > 0.05) in the diurnal patterns of serum choline concentrations in pigs after consumption of dietary choline chloride or lecithin, which is in contrast to corresponding studies in humans.

Animal Feed↗

Effect of low methionine, choline deficient diets upon major unsaturated phosphatidyl choline fractions of rat liver and plasma.

To see how the metabolism of specific phosphatidyl choline fractions might be affected when only a limited source of methyl groups was available, rats were fed for 7 days a low methionine, choline-deficient diet or one supplemented with either choline or methionine. Prior to killing, they were injected with -14C-methyl methionine and liver and plasma phosphatidyl choline isolated and separated by argentation chromatography into 3 major unsaturated fractions. Fatty acid composition and radioactivity of the fractions were determined. Deficient rats had reduced total liver phosphatidyl choline when compared with the supplemented groups, but the proportions of 20:4 and 22:6 fatty acids in the total phosphatidyl choline were unchanged. Plasma phosphatidyl choline also was reduced sharply by the deficiency, as was its proportion of 20:4 fatty acid. Specific activities of the liver 22:6, 20:4, and 18:2 phosphatidyl choline fractions showed that deficient rats had less radioactivity in their 20:4 and 18:2 phosphatidyl choline than did the supplemented animals. Plasma phosphatidyl choline fractions presented a similar pattern. Feeding methionine or choline nearly doubled radioactive methyl group incorporation into the 20:4 phosphatidyl choline fraction of liver and plasma, while incorporation into the 22:6 phosphatidyl choline was reduced or unchanged. The results suggested that, in the rat, limited availability of methyl groups altered the metabolism of liver and plasma phosphatidyl choline fractions. Methionine, as a source of labile methyl groups, appears necessary for the normal synthesis of certain unsaturated phosphatidyl choline fractions (particularly 20:4 phosphatidyl choline). Transmethylation of phosphatidyl ethanolamine molecular species to the corresponding phosphatidyl choline species may be an important reaction in normal lipid metabolism and transport. Relative affinities for incorporation of the labeled methyl groups into the phosphatidyl choline fractions of either deficient or supplemented rats were: 22:6 less than 20:4 less than 18:2.

Animals↗

Uptake and metabolism of choline by rat brain after acute choline administration.

The present study is concerned with the uptake and metabolism of choline by the rat brain. Intraperitoneal administration of choline chloride (4-60 mg/kg) caused a dose-dependent elevation of the plasma choline concentration from 11.8 to up to 165.2 microM within 10 min and the reversal of the negative arteriovenous difference (AVD) of choline across the brain to positive values at plasma choline levels of greater than 23 microM. Net choline release and uptake were linearly dependent on the plasma choline level in the physiological range of 10-50 microM, whereas the CSF choline level was significantly increased only at plasma choline levels of greater than 50 microM. The bolus injection of 60 mg/kg of [3H]choline chloride caused the net uptake of greater than 500 nmol/g of choline by the brain as calculated from the AVD, which was reflected in a minor increase of free choline level and a long-lasting increase of brain phosphorylcholine content, which paralleled the uptake curve. Loss of label from phosphorylcholine 30 min to 24 h after choline administration was accompanied by an increase of label in phosphatidylcholine, an indication of a delayed transfer of newly taken-up choline into membrane choline pools. In conclusion, homeostasis of brain choline is maintained by a complex system that interrelates choline net movements into and out of the brain and choline incorporation into and release from phospholipids.

Animals↗

Milk choline secretion as an indirect indicator of postruminal choline supply.

The objectives of this study were to evaluate milk choline as an indicator of choline absorption and to use milk choline to evaluate the efficacy of a rumen-protected choline supplement. In a preliminary 4-wk experiment, two Holstein cows in early lactation were abomasally infused with either 0 or 60 g/d of choline chloride in 2 L of water, which was used as a carrier. Choline infusion increased milk choline secretion from 1.95 to 3.95 g/d during the 2-wk choline infusion period. In Experiment 2, four Holstein cows in early lactation were abomasally infused with 0, 25, 50, and 75 g/d of choline chloride in 2 L of water using a 4 x 4 Latin square design with 1-wk experimental periods. Milk choline secretion was 2.56, 3.62, 3.72, and 3.82 g/d for the respective choline treatments. In Experiment 3, 10 Holstein cows in midlactation were fed either 0 or 50 g/d of choline using an experimental rumen-protected choline supplement during a 2-wk experiment. Milk choline secretion was increased from 2.12 to 2.99 g/d with the supplemental choline. Results of these experiments demonstrated that milk choline is responsive to postruminal choline supply and can be used as a qualitative indicator of choline absorption.

Abomasum↗

Studies on choline permeation through the plasma membrane and its incorporation into phosphatidyl choline of Ehrlich-Lettré-ascites tumor cells in vitro.

The initial rate of incorporation of 14C or 3H-labeled choline into Ehrlich-Lettre ascites cells of the glycogen-free strain seven days after inoculation was investigated in vitro. 1. At choline concentrations in the medium between 6 to 30 muM and 100 to 500 muM the choline uptake by the cells followed Michaelis-Menton Kinetics with V values between 31 to 100 and 59 to 500 pmol per minute at a given cell density, and average Q10-values of 2.1 at the high and of 2.4 at the low choline molarity. The K-m-values increased from 27 muM to 58.8 muM at low and from 0.11 mM to 0.22 mM at high choline concentrations over a temperature range between 15 degrees C and 37 degrees C. Arrhenius plot of the V values gave two lines, one with a transition temperature at 25 degrees C at low and one straight line at high choline concentrations, from which the energy of activation for choline uptake was determined to be 16 kcal/mol. 2. It is assumed that two systems exist for the choline uptake by the ascites cells. One, operative at low substrate concentrations, which is saturable and probably is to be classified as a carrier-mediated facilitated diffusion process, can be strongly inhibited by deoxyglucose or 2,4-dinitrophenol and also by substrate analogues such as chlorocholine or benzoylcholine. Ouabain affects this system to a lesser extent. The other system functioning at high choline concentrations may be a simple diffusion process, which is little inhibited by substrate analogues, ouabain and deoxyglucose; however, it is also inhibited by 2,4-dinitrophenol and p-chloromercuribenzoate. 3. Choline incorporation into the acid-insoluble material (lecithin) gave linear Michaelis-Menton kinetics at the low and the high substrate concentration respectively. K-m-values decreased with an increase in temperature at low and increased with rising temperature at high substrate concentrations thus reflecting a close relationship between choline uptake and its metabolism. Labeling of lecithin choline in the various subcellular fractions under the conditions of the functioning of a carrier-mediated process was in the order: mitochondria (50%) greater than plasma membranes (25%) greater nuclei (14%) greater than microsomes (9%) greater than supernatant (1.5%). 4. Treatment of the cells with p-chloromercuribenzoate or heat shock at 50 degrees C markedly reduced the cholinee uptake and concomitantly its conversion into lecithin. Kinetic analysis revealed that the inhibitory effect of p-chloromercuribenzoate was competitive and that of the heat shock non-competitive in nature. Further the choline uptake by the cells was found to be the rate-limiting step, since the rate of choline phosphorylation was determined by the extracellular choline concentration. Pulse chase experiments showed a rapid turnover of the choline moiety with a concomitant increase in activity of the lecithin fraction and little change within the choline phosphate pool.

Animals↗

Muscarinic mobilization of choline in rat brain in vivo as shown by the cerebral arterio-venous difference of choline.

In anesthetized rats, the choline levels of cerebrospinal fluid and plasma obtained from blood collected from peripheral vessels (carotid artery, cardiac vessels) and from the transverse sinus were determined with a radioenzymatic assay. Cortical release of choline was studied using the "cup technique." The plasma choline level of the peripheral blood (11.5 mumol/L) was lower than that of the sinus blood. The resulting cerebral arterio-venous difference of choline was negative (3.2 mumol/L) and reflected the net release of choline from the whole brain. The plasma choline levels were not different irrespective of whether the rats were anesthetized with ether, urethane, or pentobarbital. However, the choline level of the cerebrospinal fluid, which normally was lower than the plasma choline levels, was increased by urethane anesthesia to a level between the arterial and venous plasma concentrations of the brain. In old rats (24 months), the choline level of the cerebrospinal fluid was significantly lowered, when compared with the results obtained with younger rats (2-4 months). In rats kept on a low-choline diet for 2 weeks, the plasma choline level of the peripheral blood was reduced to 51% of the control. The effect on the choline level of the sinus blood was smaller; the cerebral arterio-venous difference of choline was not reduced (it was even slightly enhanced). Likewise, the choline level of the cerebrospinal fluid and the cortical release of choline were not altered. Intraperitoneal administration of oxotremorine in pentobarbital-anesthetized rats kept on a low-choline diet increased the plasma levels of choline.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aging↗