Liver lipid accumulation and fatty acid flux in rats fed a low protein diet containing purified whole egg protein

A time-course experiment related to the incorporation of palmitic acid-1-14C was performed in growing rats fed a 5 or 20 protein calories percent (PC%) diet containing purified whole egg protein. No difference was observed with time in the conversion of palmitic acid-1-14C to respiratory CO2. Radioactivity present in liver triglycerides (TG) was higher and disappeared more slowly with time in the 5 PC% group than in the 20 PC% group. Conversely, significantly lower radioactivity appeared in serum TG of the 5 PC% group than in that of the 20 PC% group. A marked decrease of serum TG level was observed in the 5 PC% group, which was attributable to a reduced concentration of TG in serum very low density lipoprotein. From the results obtained, a decreased transport of TG from the liver to blood was considered to be a factor responsible for the liver lipid accumulation in rats fed the low protein diet. (auth.)