EFFECT OF POLYUNSATURATED PHOSPHATIDYL-CHOLINE ON LIPID TRANSPORT-SYSTEM IN ALCOHOLIC LIVER-INJURY

The aim of this study was to determine whether serum lipid composition and lipolytic activities in alcohol-induced liver dystrophy were modi fied by the co-administration of polyunsaturated phosphatidylcholine ( PPC). Chronic alcohol intoxication was induced in rats by intragastric ethanol administration of 3.5 g/kg body weight per day over 56 days. Aqueous PPC suspension was given intragastrally in doses of 100 and 30 0 mg/kg body weight. Chronic alcohol intoxication led to the developme nt of protein and lipid dystrophy of hepatocytes. PPC partially preven ted alcoholic injury of the liver cells and had a normalizing effect o n cholesterol esterification, lipolysis of lipoproteins and on the fat ty acid composition of the main lipoprotein classes.