Choline May Support the Health of Cystic Fibrosis Patients
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By VRP Staff
Supplementing with choline may help correct defects in homocysteine metabolism observed in cystic fibrosis patients, a new study has found.
Liver triglyceride accumulation and oxidative stress commonly occurs in cystic fibrosis and also occurs in choline deficiency. Previously, researchers have demonstrated an association between elevated plasma homocysteine, defects in SAMe (S-adenosylmethionine) metabolism and phospholipid malabsorption in children with cystic fibrosis. Consequently, the researchers undertook a study to address whether there is a possible relation between altered methionine-homocysteine metabolism and choline metabolism in children with cystic fibrosis.
Thirteen children with cystic fibrosis were assigned to supplementation with 2 grams lecithin per day while 12 subjects received 2 grams choline per day, and 10 subjects received 3 grams betaine per day for 14 days. Betaine was used because it is a natural substance known to lower homocysteine. Before and after supplementation, plasma concentrations of methionine, adenosine, cysteine, glutathione, fatty acids, SAMe and red blood cell phospholipids were measured within each group of children. Plasma from 15 healthy children without cystic fibrosis was analyzed to obtain reference data.
Children with cystic fibrosis had higher plasma homocysteine and lower methionine and glutathione levels compared to children without cystic fibrosis. The researchers also observed defects of SAMe metabolism in the cystic fibrosis subjects. Supplementation with lecithin, choline, or betaine resulted in a significant increase in plasma methionine, SAMe, and glutathione. Supplementation with choline or betaine also was associated with the restoration of SAMe metabolism to a more normal pattern.
Reference:
Innis SM, Davidson AG, Melynk S, James SJ. Choline-related supplements improve abnormal plasma methionine-homocysteine metabolites and glutathione status in children with cystic fibrosis. Am J Clin Nutr. 2007 Mar;85(3):702-8.
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