lipotropic, a. Physiol.
(lɪpəʊˈtrəʊpɪk, -ˈtrɒpɪk)
[f. lipo- + -tropic.]
Tending to prevent or remove an accumulation of excess fat in the liver. So lipoˈtropism, lipotropic property or phenomena.
| 1935 C. H. Best et al. in Nature 18 May 821/2 The term ‘lipotropic’ is used to describe substances which decrease the rate of deposition and accelerate the rate of removal of liver fat. 1945 Jrnl. Biol. Chem. CLX. 601 (heading) Growth and lipotropism. I. The dietary requirements of methionine, cystine, and choline. 1951 A. Grollman Pharmacol. & Therapeutics xxvii. 607 Because of their lipotropic action, choline and, to a lesser extent, methionine and inositol have been used therapeutically in cirrhosis of the liver, hepatitis, [etc.]. 1953 Canad. Jrnl. Med. Sci. XXXI. 474 (heading) Further studies on lipotropism in the domestic duck. 1968 A. White et al. Princ. Biochem. (ed. 4) xxi. 503 Any material capable of contributing methyl groups for choline synthesis has the property of being lipotropic. |