Methionine-choline deprivation alters liver and brain acetylcholinesterase activity in C57BL6 mice.

Choline and methionine are precursors of acetylcholine, whose hydrolysis is catalyzed by acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Considering the possibility of their common deficiency, we investigated the influence of methionine-choline deprivation on AChE activity in liver and various brain regions (hypothalamus, hippocampus, cerebral cortex and striatum) in mice fed with methionine-choline deficient (MCD) diet. Male C57BL/6 mice (n = 28) were randomly and equally divided into following groups: control group fed with standard diet for 6 weeks (C) and groups fed with MCD diet for 2 weeks (MCD2), 4 weeks (MCD4) and for 6 weeks (MCD6). After the diet, mice were sacrificied and AChE activity in liver and brain was determined spectrophotometrically. Hepatic AChE activity was higher in MCD2, MCD4 and MCD6 compared to control (p < 0.01), with most prominent increase in MCD6. AChE activity in hypothalamus was higher in MCD4 and MCD6 vs. control (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively), as well as in MCD6 compared to MCD4 (p < 0.01). In hippocampus, increase in AChE activity was shown in MCD6 compared to control (p < 0.01). In cortex and striatum, increase in AChE activity was noted in MCD6 compared to control (p < 0.05). Our findings indicate the increase of hepatic and brain AChE activity in mice caused by methionine-choline deprivation.

Comparison between carotid artery wall thickness measured by multidetector row computed tomography angiography and intimae-media thickness measured by sonography.

The increased thickness of the carotid wall >1 mm is a significant predictor of coronary and cerebrovascular diseases. The purpose of our study was to assess the agreement between multidetector row computed tomography angiography (MDCTA) in measuring carotid artery wall thickness (CAWT) and color Doppler ultrasound (CD-US) in measuring intimae-media thickness (IMT). Eighty-nine patients (aged 35-81) were prospectively analyzed using a 64-detector MDCTA and a CD-US scanner. Continuous data were described as the mean value ± standard deviation, and were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test. A p value <0.05 was considered significant. Bland-Altman statistics were employed to measure the agreement between MDCTA and CD-US. CAWT ranged from 0.62 to 1.60 mm, with a mean value of 1.09 mm. IMT ranged from 0.60 to 1.55 mm, with a mean value of 1.06 mm. We observed an excellent agreement between CD-US and MDCTA in the evaluation of the common carotid artery thickness, with a bias between methods of 0.029 mm (which is a highly statistically important difference of absolute values [t = 43.289; p < 0.01] obtained by paired T test), and limits of agreement from 0.04 to 0.104. Pearson correlation coefficient was 0.9997 (95% CI 0.9996-0.9998; p < 0.01). We conclude that there is an excellent correlation between CAWT and IMT measurements obtained with the MDCTA and CD-US.

Time-dependent changes and association between liver free fatty acids, serum lipid profile and histological features in mice model of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Methionine-choline deficient (MCD) diet duration necessary for development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and the dynamic of lipid profile and fatty acids are not completely established. The study examined dynamics and association between liver free fatty acids (FFA), serum lipid profile and liver morphological changes on MCD diet-induced NAFLD in mice. METHODS: Male C57BL/6 mice (n = 28) were divided into four groups (n = 7 per group): control: fed with standard chow, MCD diet-fed groups: 2, 4 or 6 weeks. After treatment, liver and blood samples were taken for histopathology, serum lipid profile, and liver FFA composition. RESULTS: Hepatic FFA profile showed a decrease in saturated acids, arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acid, whereas proportions of docosapentaenoic, oleic and linoleic acid were increased. Total cholesterol, HDL and triglycerides progressively decreased, whereas LDL level progressively increased. Focal fatty change in the liver appeared after 2 weeks, whereas diffuse fatty change with severe inflammation and ballooned hepatocytes were evident after 6 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Six-week diet model may be appropriate for investigation of the role of lipotoxicity in the progression of NAFLD. Therefore, supplementation with n-3 polyunsaturated acid like DHA, rather than DPA, especially in the initial stage of fatty liver disease, may potentially have preventive effects and alleviate development of NAFLD/NASH and may also potentially reduce cardiovascular risk by moderating dyslipidemia.