Metabolism of glycosaminoglycans in rats during methionine deficiency and administration of excess methionine

Methionine deficiency in rats caused significant decrease in the concentration of many sulphated glycosaminoglycans in the aorta and other tissues, while administration of excess methionine caused an increase in these constituents. The activity of some important biosynthetic enzymes decreased in methionine deficiency and increased on administration of excess methionine. No uniform pattern was observed in the changes in the activity of enzymes concerned with degradation of glycosaminoglycans. The concentration of 3′-phosphoade-nosine 5′-phosphosulphate and the activities of the sulphate activating system and sulpho-transferase were decreased in methionine deficiency, while feeding excess methionine did not affect these parameters as compared to controls.