The Incorporation of Acetate-2- 14 C and Mevalonate-2- 14 C into Cholesterol During Vitamin B 12 Deficiency

Abstract

Summary

Cholesterol biosynthesis was studied in male rats from mothers fed a vitamin B₁₂ deficient diet during pregnancy and lactation. Deficient males had significantly lower plasma cholesterol levels, the ester fraction being diminished. Adrenal cholesterol was appreciably higher, relative to levels observed in the B₁₂ fed rats, while cholesterol content of testes and brain was not significantly different between the two groups. Vitamin B₁₂ deficiency enhanced the rate of acetate incorporation into liver cholesterol while mevalonate incorporation remained unchanged after 30 min and 2 hr but was markedly lower in the deficient group after 4 hr. Mevalonate incorporation into adrenal and testicular cholesterol was also reduced at 4 hr but incorporation into brain cholesterol was unchanged.