Mechanism of Fatty Liver, in Protein Deficiency

Abstract

The mechanism of periportal fatty liver caused by dietary protein deficiency was investigated in the rhesus monkey by studying the pattern of Triton-induced hypertriglyceridemia. As compared with control animals fed an isocaloric high protein diet, the post-Triton hypertriglyceridemia was significantly less in the protein-deficient animals. This was reversed upon protein repletion in diet. Protein deficiency resulted in a reduction in plasma triglycerides and phospholipids, a rise in free fatty acids, and a fatty liver chiefly owing to accumulation of triglycerides associated with a reduction in hepatic phospholipids. It is concluded that the fatty liver of protein deficiency is predominantly due to a defect in the secretion of hepatic triglycerides.