Choline status in the circulation of streptozotocin-diabetic rats

In the present study, choline status in the circulation of rats with streptozotocin diabetes 1, 2 and 4 weekswas investigated by measuring serum levels of free choline, phospholipid-bound choline, phosphocholine,glycerophosphocholine, betaine and homocysteine as parameters. For this purpose, 60 mg/kg streptozotocinwas injected into the tail vein of female Wistar rats at theage of 7 weeks and then blood glucose levels of the animals were measured.Our findings were indicated that circulatory levels of free choline and choline containing substanceswere changed in circulation of rats with experimentally-induced diabetes. It was observed that free cholinelevel was increased, while phosphocholine and glycerophosphocholine levels were decreased in diabetes. Thelevels of betaine, formed by the oxidation of choline, were increased in diabetic rats. Serum homocystein levelsof streptozotocin diabetic rats were found to be decreased significantly. However, no statistically significantchange was noticed in serum levels of phospholipid-bound choline.Further studies are necessary for understanding the impact of these changes in circulating choline statuson the basic functions related to choline and their possible roles in the diabetic complications.Keywords: Choline status, free choline, phosphocholine, glycerophosphocholine, betaine, homocysteine,diabetes, streptozotocin, rat