Effects of cytidine 5'-diphosphocholine on plasma homocysteine levels in rat.
We have investigated the effects of cytidine 5'-diphosphocholine (CDP-choline) on total plasma homocysteine concentration in male Sprague-Dawley rats of 2 months of age (young rats) or 15 months of age (old rats). Oral administration of 0.35 or 1 g/kg of CDP-choline to young rats significantly increased homocysteine, by 19 and 47%, respectively (P<0.05) in plasma obtained 25 min after treatment. This effect was transient for the administration of 0.35 g/kg and increased up to 64% (P<0.05) after 150 min for the administration of 1 g/kg. However, treatment through a supplemented diet resulting in an average daily intake of 0.35 g/kg of CDP-choline for up to 60 days did not significantly alter homocysteine concentration. Old rats showed a significantly (P<0.05) lower homocysteine level (25%) than control young animals, even after 60 days of treatment with the supplemented diet. Thus, when rats are used in experimental studies on the beneficial effects of CDP-choline, it has to be considered that administration of high doses of CDP-choline will not affect the plasma levels of the risk factor homocysteine as long as the compound is not administered as a single bolus.
Giménez
Rosa
R
Department of Biochemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of Barcelona, Avda. Diagonal 643, 08028 Barcelona, Spain.
Aguilar
Juan
J
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D003566:Cytidine Diphosphate Choline / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006711:Homocystine / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D014280:Triglycerides; D006711:Homocystine; D003566:Cytidine Diphosphate Choline; D002784:Cholesterol