Effect of Vitamin B12 Deficiency on Cholesterol Metabolism

Abstract
The role of vitamin B12 in cholesterol metabolism was investigated. It was demonstrated that vitamin B12 deficiency results in (a) low levels of total cholesterol in the serum and the liver of male rats, but not in female rats; (b) an increase in the percentage of incorporation of C14 acetate into cholesterol in liver which was reversed by vitamin B12 administration; and (c) a higher specific activity of cholesterol in the liver after administration of tracer acetate. It was demonstrated further that the oxidation of acetate is not impaired.