The Influence of Lipotropic Factors on the Prevention of Nutritional Edema in the Rat

Abstract
The edema observed in animals fed a protein deficient diet was prevented by the methyl compounds, choline, dimethyl-aminoethanol, betaine and methionine. Vitamin B12 was also effective, and its action was increased by the addition of folacin, which alone was without effect. Longevity and body weight of rats were also improved by a supplement of vitamin B12 and folacin and to a lesser extent by choline. The resemblance of the pathology of the edematous rats to that in human cases of kwashiorkor has been discussed.