Resolution of Severe Hepatosteatosis in a Cystic Fibrosis Patient with Multifactorial Choline Deficiency: A Case Report
Wolfgang Bernhard Nutrition 24 May 2021
In Cystic fibrosis (CF), 85-90% of patients develop exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. In spite of enzyme substitution, low pancreatic phospholipase A2 (sPLaseA2-IB) activity causes fecal loss of bile phosphatidylcholine and choline deficiency. We report on a female CF patient with progressive hepatosteatosis from 4.5y onwards. At 22.3y, the liver comprised 27% fat (2385mL volume) and transaminases were strongly increased. Plasma choline was 1.9µmol/L (normal: 8-12µmol/L). Supplementation with 3 × 1g/d choline chloride decreased liver fat and volume (3 months: 8.2%;1912mL) and normalized transaminases. Plasma choline increased to only 5.6µmol/L upon supplementation, with high trimethylamine oxide levels (12-35µmol/L; normal:3±1mol/L) proving intestinal microbial choline degradation. The patient was homozygous for rs12325817, a frequent single nucleotide polymorphism in the PEMT gene, associated with severe hepatosteatosis in response to choline deficiency. Resolution of steatosis required 2 years (4.5% fat). Discontinuation/resumption of choline supplementation resulted in rapid relapse/resolution of steatosis, increased transaminases and abdominal pain.