Lipotropic agents in liver damage produced by selenium or carbon tetrachloride.

Abstract

Summary1. The addition of supplementary methionine, choline or cystine to an “adequate” basal diet failed to protect the livers of rats against damage produced by the chronic oral administration of carbon tetrachloride. 2. A supplement of methionine, but not of cystine or of choline, showed a protective effect against damage produced by feeding sodium selenate (selenium 20 p.p.m.). 3. This action was demonstrated only in the presence of alpha-tocopherol. The relationship is discussed briefly.