The effects of oral taurine administration on behavior and hippocampal signal transduction in rats

Taurine, 2-aminoethylsulfonic acid, is one of the most abundant amino acids in the brain. It has various important physiological functions as a neuromodulator and antioxidant. Taurine is expected to be involved in depression; however, knowledge regarding its function in relation to depression is limited. In this study, we attempted to elucidate the effects of oral taurine administration on antidepressant-like behaviors in rats and depression-related signal transduction in the hippocampus. In behavioral tests, rats fed a high taurine (HT: 45.0 mmol/kg taurine) diet for 4 weeks (HT4w) showed decreased immobility in the forced swim test (FS) compared to controls. However, rats fed a low taurine (LT: 22.5 mmol/kg taurine) diet for 4 weeks or an HT diet for 2 weeks (HT2w) did not show a significant difference in FS compared to controls. In biochemical analyses, the expression of glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) 65 and GAD67 in the hippocampus was not affected by taurine administration. However, the phosphorylation levels of extracellular signal-regulated kinase1/2 (ERK1/2), protein kinase B (Akt), glycogen synthase kinase3 beta (GSK3β) and cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) were increased in the hippocampus of HT4w and HT2w rats. Phospho-calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) was increased in the hippocampus of HT4w rats only. Moreover, no significant changes in these molecules were observed in the hippocampus of rats fed an HT diet for 1 day. In conclusion, our findings suggest that taurine has an antidepressant-like effect and an ability to change depression-related signaling cascades in the hippocampus.     

Influence of casein and soy flour proteins on aminoacid content in the liver of experimental animals.

We have observed a significantly increased content of fats and decreased content of proteins in the liver of experimental rats fed a diet supplemented with 25% casein proteins in comparison with the application of de-fatted soy flour. Casein proteins have a higher content of methionine in relation to cystine than baked soy flour. But the soy diet in contrast to the casein diet has a high content of free aminoacids which are not present in casein at all: aspartic acid, asparagine, alpha-aminoadipic acid, methionine, norleucine, lysine, phenylalanine, beta-alanine, ethanolamine, histidine, proline, gamma-aminobutyric acid, taurine. Differences in free valine, alanine, arginine, glycine, ornithine and cysteic acid are also significant. The content of free aminoacids in the liver of experimental animals fed a soy diet is high in the content of cystine, cystathionine, ornithine, beta-aminoisobutyric acid, beta-alanine, gamma-aminobutyric acid, leucine. We have also found accumulation of methionine, glycine, alpha-aminobutyric acid, taurine and citrulline in free aminoacids from the liver of animals fed a casein diet. Citrulline and glycine in free aminoacids from the liver of animals fed a soy protein supplement were not recorded. Our investigations have shown that the application of a soy diet enriched with cystine acts protectively on methionine and that methionine is preferentially utilized for protein synthesis. The catabolic pathway of methionine prevails in animals on a casein diet.     

Effects of dietary taurine on tissue taurine and free amino acid levels of the chum salmon, Oncorhynchus keta, reared in freshwater and seawater environments

1. Young chum salmon were fed on the basal and taurine-supplemented diets for 30 days in freshwater (FW) and for 25 days in seawater (SW). Levels of taurine, major free amino acids (FAA) and non-protein nitrogen (NPN) in various tissues were determined. 2. Tissue taurine levels were higher when fish were fed on the taurine-supplemented diets. All tissues of the SW fish did not contain higher taurine levels than those of the FW. 3. Levels of major FAA in the tissues differed little between fish fed on the basal and taurine-supplemented diets and also between the FW and SW fish. 4. No difference was observed in tissue NPN levels between fish ingesting the basal and taurine-supplemented diets; the levels were slightly higher in the SW fish.     

Effect ofl-homocysteine and derivatives on the high-affinity uptake of taurine and GABA into synaptosomes and cultured neurons and astrocytes

The effect ofl-nomocysteine and selected derivatives on the high-affinity uptake of the inhibitory neuroeffectors, GABA and taurine, was investigated in synaptosomes, and in cultured neurons and astrocytes. High-affinity uptake of taurine into synaptosomes was inhibited most effectively byl-homocysteine,Dl-homocysteine and homocystine whereas neuronal uptake was unaffected by any of the compounds tested. The high affinity uptake of taurine into astrocytes was markedly inhibited byl-homocysteine,l-homocysteic acid andl-homocystine. High-affinity GABA uptake into astrocytes was notably inhibited byl-homocystine, none of the other compounds tested causing appreciable inhibition below a concentration of 5 mM. Neuronal and synaptosomal high-affinity uptake of GABA was not significantly affected by any of the test compounds at concentrations below 5 mM. The implication of these results to the study of the mechanism of homocysteine-induced seizures and their relevance to the genetic disorder homocystinuria is discussed.     

Dietary taurine enhances cholesterol degradation and reduces serum and liver cholesterol concentrations in rats fed a high-cholesterol diet

Summary.  The effect of taurine on hypercholesterolemia induced by feeding a high-cholesterol (HC) diet (10 g/kg) to rats was examined. When taurine was supplemented to HC for 2 wk, serum total cholesterol significantly decreased and serum HDL-cholesterol increased compared with the HC diet group. In the hypercholesterolemic rats fed the HC diet, the excretion of fecal bile acids and hepatic cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (CYP7A1) activity and its mRNA level increased significantly, and the supplementation of taurine further enhanced these indexes, indicating an increase in cholesterol degradation. Agarose gel electrophoresis revealed that, in hypercholesterolemic rats fed the HC diet, the serum level of the heavier VLDL increased significantly, but taurine repressed this increase and normalized this pattern. Significant correlations were observed between the time-dependent increase of CYP7A1 gene expression and the decrease of blood cholesterol concentration in rats fed the HC diet supplemented with taurine. These results suggest that the hypocholesterolemic effects of taurine observed in the hypocholesterolemic rats fed the HC diet were mainly due to the enhancement of cholesterol degradation and the excretion of bile acid. Received December 4, 2001 Accepted January 2, 2002 Published online September 10, 2002 Acknowledgment This work was supported by a grant of Taisho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd (Japan). We thank J. I. Gordon for their generous gifts of cDNAs. Authors' address: Dr. Hidehiko Yokogoshi, School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, The University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka 4228526, Japan, E-mail: yokogosi@u-shizuoka-ken.ac.jp     

Cerebrocellular Swelling in the Presence of Uraemic Guanidino Compounds: Ameliorative Effects of Taurine

Cell volumes (equilibrium non-inulin spaces) have been measured in slices of rat cerebral cortex incubated in the presence of uraemic guanidino compounds. Of 5 guanidino compounds tested, all but one caused significant cell swelling. This was most pronounced for guanidinosuccinic acid (GSA, 40 μmol/l)(+22%) and guanidine hydrochloride (G, 3 μmol/l)(+13%). Swelling was reduced by taurine in a dose-dependent manner, being completely abolished at 20 mmol/l. Swelling was also abolished by the antioxidants ascorbic acid (0.4 mmol/l) and butylated hydroxytoluene (0.5 mmol/l), the free radical scavenger N-acetyl-l-cysteine (10 mmol/l) and the lipid peroxidase inhibitor desmethyl tirilazad (100 μmol/l). The remission of swelling by 20 mmol/l taurine was reduced by 50% by the taurine transport inhibitor guanidinoethylsulphonate (GES, 1 mmol/l). This figure was not significantly altered when the concentration of GES was increased to 10 mmol/l. It was also reduced by 45% by the GABA_a receptor antagonist bicuculline (100 μmol/l). It was completely abolished when both GES and bicuculline were present. It is suggested that guanidino compounds result in cells undergoing oxidative-nitrosative stress, and that taurine protects against the resultant cell swelling by 2 mechanisms One (intracellular) requires taurine transport and depends on its role as an antioxidant, with lipid peroxidation being probably a significant factor. The other (extracellular) is associated with activation of GABA_a receptors. Special issue dedicated to Simo S. Oja     

Inhibition of sulfate excretion by (aminooxy)acetate induced stimulation of taurine excretion in rats

Summary l-Cysteine is mainly metabolized to sulfate and taurine through cysteinesulfinate pathway. Alternatively, sulfate is formed in rat liver mitochondria via 3-mercaptopyruvate pathway. Intraperitoneal administration of 5 mmol ofl-cysteine per kg of body weight resulted in the increase in sulfate and taurine (plus hypotaurine) excretion in the 24-h urine, which corresponded to 45.3 and 29.3%, respectively, ofl-cysteine administered. Subcutaneous injection of (aminooxy)acetate, a potent inhibitor of transaminases, together withl-cysteine halved the sulfate excretion and doubled the taurine excretion. In vitro sulfate formation froml-cysteine and froml-cysteinesulfinate in rat liver mitochondria was inhibited by (aminooxy)-acetate. The sulfate-forming activity of liver mitochondria obtained from rats injected with (aminooxy) acetate was also inhibited. These results indicate that the transamination reaction is crucial in sulfate formation and in the regulation of sulfur metabolism. Sulfur equilibrium in mammals was discussed.     

The lipophilic iron compound TMH-ferrocene [(3,5,5-trimethylhexanoyl)ferrocene] increases iron concentrations,neuronal L-ferritin,and heme oxygenase in brains of BALB/c mice

Mismanagement of intracellular iron is a key pathological feature of many neurodegenerative diseases. Our long-term goal is to use animal models to investigate the mechanisms of iron neurotoxicity and its relationship to neurodegenerative pathologies. The immediate aim of this experiment was to determine regional distribution of iron and cellular distribution of iron storage proteins (l- and h-ferritin) and an oxidative stress marker (heme oxygenase-1) in brains of mice fed the lipophilic iron compound (3,5,5-trimethylhexanoyl) (TMH)-ferrocene. We fed male and female weanling BALB/cj mice diets either deficient in iron (0 mg Fe/kg diet), adequate in iron (35 mg Fe/kg diet; control mice), or adequate in iron and supplemented with 0.1 or 1.0 g TMH-ferrocene/kg diet for 8 wk. Iron concentrations in cerebrum were higher in mice fed 1.0 g TMH-ferrocene/kg diet than in control mice (p<0.05). Liver iron concentrations were eightfold higher in mice fed 1.0 g TMH-ferrocene/kg diet than in control mice (p<0.0001). l-Ferritin and heme oxygenase-1 expression were elevated in striatum in mice fed 1.0 g TMH-ferrocene/kg diet. We conculde that administration of the lipophilic iron compound TMH-ferrocene leads to subtle perturbations of cellular iron within the brain, potentially representing a model of iron accumulation similar to that seen in various neuropathological conditions.     

Taurine modulates kallikrein activity and glucose metabolism in insulin resistant rats

Summary. Taurine, a potent antioxidant has been reported to show an antidiabetic effect in streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus in which the development of hyperglycemia results from the damage to β cells of pancreas by reactive oxygen species. In addition, taurine also increases the excretion of nitrite and enhances the formation of kinins and would be expected to improve insulin resistance. The effect of taurine on insulin sensitivity was examined in the high fructose-fed rats, an animal model of insulin resistance. Male Wistar rats of body weight 170–190 g were divided into 4 groups: a control group and taurine-supplemented control group, taurine supplemented and unsupplemented fructose-fed group. An intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT) and a steady state plasma glucose level (SSPG) were performed before the sacrifice. The fructose-fed rats displayed hyperglycemia and insulin resistance and they had a greater accumulation of glycogen than did control rats. Hyperglycemia and insulin resistance were significantly lower in the taurine supplemented fructose-fed group than in the unsupplemented fructose-fed group. Urinary kallikrein activity was higher in taurine-treated animals than in the rats fed only fructose. The activity of membrane bound ATPases were significantly lower in fructose-fed rats than in the control rats and were significantly higher in the taurine supplemented group than in the fructose-fed group. Taurine effectively improves glucose metabolism in fructose-fed rats presumably via improved insulin action and glucose tolerance. Received January 5, 2001 Accepted August 21, 2001     

<Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">l</Emphasis>-Carnitine Blood Levels and Oxidative Stress in Treated Phenylketonuric Patients

Aims l-Carnitine exerts an important role by facilitating the mitochondrial transport of fatty acids, but is also a scavenger of free radicals, protecting cells from oxidative damage. Phenylketonuria (PKU), an inborn error of phenylalanine (Phe) metabolism, is currently treated with a special diet consisting of severe restriction of protein-enriched foods, therefore potentially leading to l-carnitine depletion. The aim of this study was to determine l-carnitine levels and oxidative stress parameters in blood of two groups of PKU patients, with good and poor adherence to treatment. Methods Treatment of patients consisted of a low protein diet supplemented with a synthetic amino acids formula not containing Phe, l-carnitine, and selenium. l-Carnitine concentrations and the oxidative stress parameters thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS) and total antioxidant reactivity (TAR) were measured in blood of the two groups of treated PKU patients and controls. Results We verified a significant decrease of serum l-carnitine levels in patients who strictly adhered to the diet, as compared to controls and patients who did not comply with the diet. Furthermore, TBARS measurement was significantly increased and TAR was significantly reduced in both groups of phenylketonuric patients relatively to controls. We also found a significant negative correlation between TBARS and l-carnitine levels and a significant positive correlation between TAR and l-carnitine levels in well-treated PKU patients. Conclusions Our results suggest that l-carnitine should be measured in plasma of treated PKU patients, and when a decrease of this endogenous component is detected in plasma, supplementation should be considered as an adjuvant therapy.     

<Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">l</Emphasis>-Homoarginine suppresses exocrine pancreas in rats

Summary.  Previously, we found that guanidinated casein, a l-homoarginine-containing protein, was a more potent stimulator of pancreatic enzyme secretion than intact casein in rats. In this study, we examined secretory response and adaptation of the exocrine pancreas to the administration of free l-homoarginine in normal and bile-pancreatic juice (BPJ)-diverted rats. An intraperitoneal injection of l-homoarginine (10 mg/rats) produced immediate and transient reduction in pancreatic secretion in BPJ-diverted rats, but not in normal rats. The BPJ-diverted rats were fed with either a 25% casein, 45% casein, or 45% casein diet supplemented with l-homoarginine (19 g/kg diet) for 4 days. Feeding of a diet containing l-homoarginine inhibited the pancreatic adaptation induced by the high-protein diet. These results indicate that l-homoarginine has an inhibitory effect on the secretion and production of exocrine pancreatic enzyme in BPJ-diverted rats, and l-homoarginine may have an antagonistic effect on CCK receptors. Received July 1, 2002 Accepted August 28, 2002 Published online December 20, 2002 Authors' address: Dr. Hiroshi Hara, Division of Applied Bioscience, Graduate School of Agriculture, Hokkaido University, Kita-9, Nishi-9, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-8589, Japan E-mail: hara@chem.agr.hokudai.ac.jp     

Effect of taurine,l-glutamine and l-histidine addition in an amino acid glucose solution on the cellular bioavailability of zinc

Radioactive zinc was used to study the effect of a binary parenteral nutrient solution, composed of amino acids and glucose, on zinc uptake by fibroblasts. The influence of addition of taurine, l-glutamine and of the increase in l-histidine content of the admixture was assessed. The pure mixture was highly toxic for cells and so it was diluted 1/5 in tyrode buffer with 2% albumin. As compared with cells incubated in the buffer containing albumin, zinc absorption was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the presence of the amino acids of the mixture. Amino acids thus increased bioavailability by displacing zinc bound to albumin. When the histidine concentration in the nutrient medium (4.2 mm) was doubled, inhibition was noted after 30 min of incubation and zinc uptake thereafter remained comparable to that in histidine-free medium. The addition of glutamine (4.2 mm), usually not present in binary mixtures, resulted in significant differences as compared with glutamine-free control medium. Taurine (0.8 mm), led to a constant increase in zinc uptake by fibroblasts as compared with that obtained with taurine-free mixture. However, ultrafiltration showed that taurine was not able to displace zinc from albumin.     

Comparison of Different Forms of Dietary Selenium Supplementation on Growth Performance,Meat Quality,Selenium Deposition,and Antioxidant Property in Broilers

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of different sources of dietary selenium (Se) supplementation on growth performance, meat quality, Se deposition, and antioxidant property in broilers. A total of 600 one-day-old Ross 308 broilers with an average body weight (BW) of 44.30 ± 0.49 g were randomly allotted to three treatments, each of which included five replicates of 40 birds. These three groups received the same basal diet containing 0.04 mg Se/kg, supplemented with 0.15 mg Se/kg from sodium selenite (SS) or from l-selenomethionine (l-Se-methionine (Met)) or from d-selenomethionine (d-Se-Met). The experiment lasted 42 days. Both Se source and time significantly influenced (p < 0.01) drip loss of breast muscle. Supplementation with l-Se-Met and d-Se-Met were more effective (p < 0.05) in decreasing drip loss than SS. Besides, the pH value of breast muscle was also significantly influenced (p < 0.05) by time. The SS-supplemented diet increased more (p < 0.05) liver, kidney, and pancreas glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities than the d-Se-Met-supplemented diet. In addition, l-Se-Met increased more (p < 0.01) liver and pancreas GSH-Px activities than d-Se-Met. The antioxidant status was greatly improved in broilers of l-Se-Met-treated group in comparison with the SS-treated group and was illuminated by the increased glutathione (GSH) concentration in serum, liver, and breast muscle (p < 0.05); superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in liver (p < 0.01); total antioxidant capability (T-AOC) in kidney, pancreas, and breast muscle (p < 0.05) and decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration in kidney and breast muscle (p < 0.05) of broilers. Besides, supplementation with d-Se-Met was more effective (p < 0.01) in increasing serum GSH concentration and decreasing breast muscle MDA concentration than SS. l-Selenomethionine supplementation significantly increased GSH concentration in liver and breast muscle (p < 0.05); SOD activity in liver (p < 0.01); and T-AOC in liver, pancreas, and breast muscle (p < 0.05) of broilers, compared with broilers fed d-Se-Met diet. The addition of l-Se-Met and d-Se-Met increased (p < 0.01) Se concentration in serum and different organs studied of broilers in comparision with broilers fed SS diet. Therefore, dietary l-Se-Met and d-Se-Met supplementation could improve antioxidant capability and Se deposition in serum and tissues and reduce drip loss of breast muscle in broilers compared with SS. Besides, l-Se-Met is more effective than d-Se-Met in improving antioxidant status in broilers.     

Improving effect of dietary taurine supplementation on the oxidative stress and lipid levels in the plasma,liver and aorta of rabbits fed on a high-cholesterol diet

The effect of a high-cholesterol diet with or without taurine on lipids and oxidative stress in the plasma, liver and aorta of rabbits was investigated. The animals were maintained on a basal diet (control), a high-cholesterol diet (HC, 1% w/w), or a high- cholesterol diet supplemented with taurine (HCHT, 2.5% w/w) for two months. Taurine has an ameliorating effect on atherosclerosis together with a decreasing effect on the cholesterol and triglyceride levels in rabbits fed on an HC diet. The HCHT diet caused a significant decrease in the malondialdehyde (MDA) and diene conjugate (DC) levels in the plasma, liver and aorta of rabbits as compared to the HC group. This treatment did not alter the antioxidant system in the liver of rabbits in the HC group. Our findings indicate that taurine ameliorated oxidative stress and cholesterol accumulation in the aorta of rabbits fed on the HC diet and that this effect may be related to its antioxidative potential as well as its reducing effect on serum lipids.     

The effect of taurine on cholesterol degradation in mice fed a high-cholesterol diet

The hypocholesterolemic effect of taurine was examined in mice fed a high-cholesterol diet containing 1% cholesterol and 0.25% sodium cholate. Male C57BL/6 mice were divided into 3 groups: control group (HC), 1% taurine-supplemented group (HCT+), and taurine-deficient group (HCT-) produced by supplying 0.5% guanidinoethyl sulfonate (GES) solution ad libitum instead of water. After they were fed with the respective diet or drinking water for 4 weeks, the liver taurine level was reduced 80% in the HCT- group compared with that in the HC group, although there was no difference in the serum taurine amount between the two groups. The formation ratio of cholesterol gallstones increased from 71% to 100% by taurine deficiency, and decreased to 0% by taurine supplementation. Compared with the HC group, serum and liver cholesterol significantly decreased, and the excretion of fecal bile acid notably rose in the HCT+ group but tended to lower in the HCT- group. There were no differences in LDL receptor protein level among the three groups. In the subsequent experiment, triglycerides (TG) secretion rate was determined and found to be significantly suppressed by taurine supplementation. In conclusion, it is suggested that taurine does not up-regulate LDL receptor protein level, and the decrease in cholesterol in the circulation is mainly due to its suppressive effect on TG secretion from the liver.     

Increase in tissue cysteine level and excretion of sulfate and taurine after intragastric administration ofl-2-oxothiazolidine-4-carboxylate in rats

Summary Five mmol ofl-2-oxothiazolidine-4-carboxylate (OTC)/kg of body weight was administered into the stomach of rats, and cysteine levels in tissues and sulfate and taurine excreted in the urine were determined. The cysteine (plus cystine expressed as cysteine) concentration in the liver increased to 170–200% of the original level at 30 min and that in the blood to 160% at 60 min after the OTC administration. These high levels were maintained until 8 h after the administration and decreased gradually thereafter. Excretion of sulfate and taurine increased after the OTC administration and the increase corresponded to 26% and 15%, respectively, of the OTC administered. These findings suggest that at least about 40% of the OTC administered into the stomach was taken up and converted to cysteine, which was metabolized to sulfate and taurine.     

Changes in free amino acids in the brain during embryonic development in layer and broiler chickens

Developmental changes in the levels of the excitatory amino acids l-glutamate (Glu) and l-Aspartate (Asp) and inhibitory amino acids glycine (Gly) and γ-amino butyric acid (GABA), as well as taurine and its related amino acids l-methionine (Met), l-cysteine (Cys) and l-serine (Ser) in the brain and pectoralis muscle at various embryonic stages and hatch in broiler and layer type chickens were determined. Brain concentrations of Asp, GABA and taurine were higher than those in the muscle, but the difference in the two types was small. The concentrations of the precursors of taurine including Met, Cys and Ser were lower than that of taurine. In conclusion, the synthesis of some amino acids and their metabolites such as Asp, GABA and taurine in the chick embryo is very high in order to support brain development.     

Release of Endogenous Amino Acids from the Hippocampus and Brain Stem from Developing and Adult Mice in Ischemia

The release of neurotransmitters and modulators has been studied mostly using labeled preloaded compounds. For several reasons, however, the estimated release may not reliably reflect the release of endogenous compounds. The basal and K⁺-evoked release of the neuroactive endogenous amino acids GABA, glycine, taurine, l-glutamate and l-aspartate was now studied in slices from the hippocampus and brain stem from 7-day-old and 3-month-old mice under control and ischemic conditions. The release of synaptically not active l-glutamine, l-alanine, l-threonine and l-serine was assessed for comparison. The estimates for the hippocampus and brainstem were markedly different and also different in developing and adult mice. GABA release was much greater in 3-month-old than in 7-day-old mice, whereas with taurine the situation was the opposite, in the hippocampus in particular. K⁺ stimulation enhanced glycine release more in the mature than immature brain stem while in the hippocampus the converse was observed. Ischemia enhanced the release of all neuroactive amino acids in both brain regions, the effects being relatively most pronounced in the case of GABA, aspartate and glutamate in the hippocampus in 3-month-old mice, and taurine in 7-day-old and glycine in 3-month-old mice in the brain stem. These results are qualitatively similar to those obtained on earlier experiments with labeled preloaded amino acids. However, the magnitudes of the release cannot be quite correctly estimated using radioactive labels. In developing mice only taurine release may counteract the harmful effects of excitatory amino acids in ischemia in both hippocampus and brain stem.     

Enhancing Effect of Zinc on <Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">l</Emphasis>-Histidine Transport in Rat Lung Microvascular Endothelial Cells

The aim of this study was to examine enhancing effect of l-histidine into cultured rat lung microvascular endothelial cells (LMECs), which constitute the gas–blood barrier. Uptake of l-histidine into LMECs markedly increased with the addition of ZnSO₄ (0.1 mmol/L), and this enhanced uptake of l-histidine was drastically reduced in the presence of the Na⁺-independent system L substrate, 2-amino-2-norbornanecarboxylic acid (BCH). However, the uptake of l-histidine together with ZnSO₄ was not reduced by the addition of metabolic inhibitor, 2,4-dinitrophenol, or sodium ion replacement. Moreover, the addition of the system N-substrate, l-glutamic acid γ-monohydroxamate did not significantly decrease the uptake of l-histidine with 143 mmol/L Na ⁺ + 1 mmol/L BCH. These results indicated that system-N transporter does not play a role in the uptake of l-histidine in the presence of ZnSO₄, suggesting that only system-L transporter is involved in the uptake of l-histidine, although l-histidine in the absence of ZnSO₄ was taken up by at least two pathways of Na⁺-dependent system-N and Na⁺-independent system-L processes into rat LMECs. The uptake of l-histidine into rat LMECs in the presence of ZnSO₄ was also found to be unaffected by pH (5.0–7.4), indicating that uptake of l-histidine into LMECs by the addition of zinc may not be involved in the H⁺-coupled transporters.     

Tissue taurine content and conjugated bile acid composition of rhesus monkey infants fed a human infant soy-protein formula with or without taurine supplementation for 3 months

The concentrations of taurine in a number of brain regions and in other tissues of rhesus morkeys fed a taurine-free human infant formula for 3 months are substantially lower than in similar monkeys fed the same formula supplemented with taurine. Activities of enzymes involved in taurine biosynthesis were not different in the two groups except for liver cysteinesulfinic acid decarboxylase, which was greater in the monkeys fed formula alone. There was no difference in the biliary bile acid composition, but the proportion of bile acids conjugated with taurine was significantly greater in the monkeys fed formula supplemented with taurine. These results indicate that the effects of a taurine-deficient diet on infant primates are widespread.