FATTY CIRRHOSIS IN THE RAT. VII. INFLUENCE OF DIFFERENT LEVELS OF DIETARY FAT ON EARLY DEPOSITION OF FAT IN LIVER.

Summary Liver fat accumulation was studied in groups of young rats fed one of 3 low protein diets containing, respectively, 5%, 20% and 38% lard. Each diet furnished the same quantity of protein (casein and soy-α-protein). The rapidity and magnitude of fat accumulation was greatest in rats fed the 38% lard diet and least in those receiving the one containing 5% lard. In previous studies the same diets were fed for 15 weeks: the 38% lard diet produced the greatest incidence and the most severe degree of cirrhosis, whereas the group fed the 5% lard diet had the least severe degree of liver damage. The severity of the fatty cirrhosis that ultimately develops in choline deficient rats is chiefly determined by rate and magnitude of fat accumulation in the liver in the first 3 weeks of the experiment.