Zeisel Steven H, Niculescu Mihai D
Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, 27599-7416, USA.
Nutr Rev. 2006 Apr;64(4):197-203. doi: 10.1111/j.1753-4887.2006.tb00202.x.
Choline is derived not only from the diet, but also from de novo synthesis. It is important for methyl-group metabolism, the formation of membranes, kidney function, and neurotransmission. When deprived of dietary choline, most adult men and postmenopausal women develop signs of organ dysfunction (fatty liver or muscle damage) and have a decreased capacity to convert homocysteine to methionine. Choline is critical during fetal development, when it influences stem cell proliferation and apoptosis, thereby altering brain structure and function (memory is permanently enhanced in rodents exposed to choline during the latter part of gestation).
胆碱不仅来源于饮食，也可通过从头合成产生。它对甲基代谢、细胞膜形成、肾功能及神经传递都很重要。当饮食中缺乏胆碱时，大多数成年男性和绝经后女性会出现器官功能障碍的迹象（脂肪肝或肌肉损伤），将同型半胱氨酸转化为蛋氨酸的能力也会下降。胆碱在胎儿发育过程中至关重要，它会影响干细胞增殖和凋亡，从而改变脑结构和功能（在孕期后期接触胆碱的啮齿动物中，记忆力会得到永久性增强）。
