The effect of longterm alcohol exposure on liver choline dehydrogenase activity.

Rats were exposed to an ethanol-containing drinking mixture for 54, 84 and 105 days. It was shown that a progressive increase in liver choline dehydrogenase activity occurred which became statistically significant at 105 days. This may be the mechanism by which ethanol increases choline requirement in mammals. Studies of this type might further our understanding of alcohol-related liver disease, and are particularly pertinent in countries such as Zambia in which alcohol consumption is high and dietary choline intake is likely to be low.