EFFECT OF UNDERNUTRITION ON AMINO ACID COMPARTMENTATION IN THE DEVELOPING RAT BRAIN

Abstract

Abstract —Rat pups undernourished through 21 days of age show abnormal patterns of cerebral amino acid metabolism. The pattern of incorporation of radioactivity from l ‐[U‐ 14 C]leucine into amino acids derived from tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates was altered, with significantly more 14 C being incorporated into glutamate and aspartate in the underfed rats than in controls. Glutamate compartmentation, manifested in the ratio of specific radioactivities of glutamine to glutamate, developed more slowly in the. diet‐restricted group. These results are similar to those seen in neonatally‐thyroidectomized rats and suggest decreased growth of neuronal processes. This impairment of amino acid metabolism returns to normal after a 7‐week period of adequate nutrition.