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Biomedical subjects

D K Rassin

Publications and source records attributed to D K Rassin.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1977

Taurine in developing rat brain: transfer of [35S] taurine to pups via the milk.

The concentration of taurine in rat milk is very high for the first few days after birth and then falls rapidly. [35S]Taurine injected intraperitoneally into lactating dams after birth was transferred via the milk to the pups, and accumulated in the brains of the pups to a greater extext than in the livers of the pups. Maximal accumulation of [35S]taurine so transferred to the brain of the pups was reached by 5 days after birth, and remained constant for at least 10 days beyond this poiht. The specific radioactivity in the brain of the pups also reached a maximal value at 5 days after birth and thereafter declined because of the expanding pool of unlabeled taurine in brain. At 5 days after birth, each pup has received approximately 4 mumol taurine from the mother via the milk, and a minimum of 7% of the total taurine in brain at this time originated from the milk. Speculation Even in the rat, a species which can synthesize taurine very easily from cysteine and methionine precursors, a significant amount of performed taurine is transferred to the developing animal via the milk. We suggest that the human infant, who cannot synthesize adequate taurine from cysteine and methionine precursors (9, 10, 40), may be dependent on its diet as a taurine source. Human milk contains a high concentration of taurine, whereas synthetic formulas contain virtually none. Taurine may be an essential nutrient for the rapidly growing human infant (and may be for the adult human also) and perhaps should be included as a supplement in synthetic formulas.

Animals↗
PubMed1977

Milk protein quantity and quality in low-birth-weight infants: II. Effects on selected aliphatic amino acids in plasma and urine.

The optimal quantity and quality of protein for low-birth-weight infants is undefined. In this study, 106 well, appropriate-for-gestational-age, low-birth-weight infants weighing 2,100 gm or less were divided into three gestational age groups and assigned randomly within each age group to one of five feeding regimens: pooled human milk; formula 1 (protein content, 1.5 gm/100 ml- 60 parts bovine whey proteins to 40 parts bovine caseins); formula 2 (3.0 gm/100 ml, 60:40); formula 3 (1.5 gm/100 ml, 18:82); and formula 4 (3.0 gm/100 ml, 18:82). The concentrations of the free amino aicds in the plasma and urine of these infants were determined. The plasma concentrations of free amino acids were generally far greater in the infants fed the 3.0-gm/100 ml protein diets than they were in the infants fed pooled human milk. The plasma concentrations of free amino acids of the infants fed the 1.5-gm/100 ml protein diets were intermediate. In general, the concentrations of the free amino acids in the plasma of the infants fed the 3.0-gm/100 ml casein-predominant formula (F4) were furthest from those fed pooled human milk. Glutamate showed the highest plasma amino acid concentrations in infants fed the 3.0-gm/100 ml casein-predominant formula (F4) were furthest from those fed pooled human milk. Glutamate showed the highest plasma amino acid concentrations in infants fed both the high- and low-protein casein-predominant formulas. This was true despite the fact that the intake of glutamate on the high-protein, whey-predominant formula was twice that on the low-protein, casein-predominant formula. The differences between groups in the essential amino acids in plasma were generally greater than those of the nonessential amino acids. The concentrations of amino acids in the urine tended to parallel those of the plasma.

Alanine↗
PubMed1976

Milk protein quantity and quality in low-birthweight infants: I. Metabolic responses and effects on growth.

The optimal quantity and quality of protein for low-birthweight infants is undefined. In this study, 106 well, appropriate-for-gestational age, low-birthweight infants weighing 2,100 gm or less were grouped in three gestational age categories: T1 = 28 to 30 weeks; T2 = 31 to 33 weeks; T3 = 34 to 36 weeks. Each group was assigned randomly to either banked human milk (BM) or to one of four isocaloric formulas varying in quantity and quality of protein but not in mineral content or in fat content: formula 1 = 1.5 gm of protein per 100 ml, 60 parts bovine whey proteins to 40 parts bovine caseins; formula 2 = 3.0 gm of protein per 100 ml, 60:40; formula 3 = 1.5 gm of protein per 100 ml, 18:82; formula 4 = 3.0 gm of protein per 100 ml, 18:82. Caloric intake was 117 kcal/150 ml/kg/day for the formulas. Human milk was fed at 170 ml/kg/day in order to attain a caloric intake approximately equal to that of the formulas. No significant differences were found in the rate of growth in crown-rump length, in femoral length, in head circumference, or in rate of gain in weight from time of regaining birthweight to time of discharge at 2,400 gm. Blood urea nitrogen, urine osmolarity, total serum protein, serum albumin, and serum globulin varied directly with the quantity of protein in the diet: F2, F4 greater than F1, F3 greater than BM. Blood ammonia concentration varied with both quantity and quality of protein in the diet: F2, F3, F4 greater than F1, BM. Metabolic acidosis was more frequent, more severe, and more prolonged in the infants fed the casein-predominant formulas (F3,F4) than in those fed the whey protein-predominant formulas (F1, F2).

Ammonia↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Evaluation of hexosaminidase activity as a potential biochemical marker in serum for necrotizing enterocolitis.

The presence of increased serum activity of the lysosomal hydrolase hexosaminidase has been suggested to be potentially useful in the diagnosis of neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). In the present study, serum activity of hexosaminidase was measured in 19 neonates with NEC and compared to developmental patterns of enzyme activity determined in 61 neonates without NEC. Infants with NEC were studied at intervals starting at the onset of disease and continuing until 6 weeks after diagnosis. In normal infants, serum activity of hexosaminidase increases with increasing gestational and postnatal ages. However, infants with NEC had relatively lower serum hexosaminidase activity than these control infants of similar gestational and postnatal ages. Necrotizing enterocolitis is not associated with increased serum activity of hexosaminidase.

Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Photosensitized oxidation of tryptophan and hepatic dysfunction in neonatal gerbils.

Hepatic dysfunction is a common metabolic complication of parenteral nutrition. Studies in animals have suggested that several amino acids, especially tryptophan, may play a role in the development of hepatic dysfunction. Further, photoirradiation of amino acids in the presence of photosensitizers, such as riboflavin, causes photooxidative changes in several amino acids. The present study was undertaken to determine the effect of tryptophan, after photoirradiation in the presence of riboflavin, on hepatic function in neonatal gerbils. Two-week-old suckling gerbils received approximately 4 mmol/kg/day of light-exposed or nonlight-exposed tryptophan or received saline intraperitoneally for 4 days. An increase in the activity of serum gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase was found in gerbils receiving both light-exposed and nonlight-exposed tryptophan compared to control. Concentrations of tryptophan were significantly higher in animals receiving saline than in the other two groups. There were no significant differences in the major tissue amino acids among the three groups of animals. Our data suggest the role of photosensitized oxidation of tryptophan in the pathogenesis of hepatic dysfunction in neonatal gerbils. It is possible that similar photooxidation occurring during infusion of parenteral amino acid solutions containing vitamins exposed to constant illumination in the newborn nursery is responsible for the observed hepatic dysfunction in parenterally fed neonates.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

In vivo biliary function in the adult rat: the effect of parenteral glucose and amino acids.

Parenteral glucose and glucose-amino acid mixtures are used in the nutritional support of infants, children, and adults when enteral feedings are precluded for any reason. During the first week of such nutritional support, the total energy intakes are generally low and glucose and electrolytes are the only nutrients provided. To assess the effects of such "hypocaloric" regimens, we determined the hepatic responses to parenteral infusions of either glucose or glucose-amino acid mixtures in rats. Further, to illustrate the magnitude of these changes in comparison to normally fed animals, we included a group of sham-operated, chow-fed rats. Bile flow, biliary bile acid output, bile osmolarity, serum bile acids, and plasma amino acids were measured in adult rats following 5 days of the respective dietary regimens. Liver histology was also assessed. Bile acid output, but not bile flow, was significantly decreased by the infusion of glucose compared to glucose-amino acid mixtures. However, in comparison to the chow-fed rats, bile acid output was significantly reduced in both groups of parenterally fed animals, whereas bile flow was significantly reduced only in the glucose-infused animals. Plasma amino acids were markedly different between the groups; concentrations of essential amino acids were greater in the glucose-amino acid infused animals than in the glucose infused animals. Nonessential gluconeogenic amino acids were significantly higher in the glucose-infused animals compared to the other groups; plasma valine was significantly lower in the glucose-infused animals reflecting the lack of protein intake. Liver histology was markedly abnormal in all of the glucose-infused animals, whereas only half the glucose-amino acid infused animals had abnormal pathology.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amino Acids↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Taurine and cholesterol supplementation in the term infant: responses of growth and metabolism.

The effects of taurine and of cholesterol supplementation to a whey-protein-predominant formula fed ad libitum on the growth and biochemical responses of term infants were studied. The responses of these infants were compared to those of infants fed formula without a supplement and infants that were breastfed. These infants were followed for 12 weeks. No effect of cholesterol was observed on any of the measurements and no effect of taurine was observed on any of the biochemical measures with the exception that taurine concentrations in plasma and urine (reduced in infants fed formula alone) were corrected to concentrations observed in breastfed infants. Taurine supplementation had no effect on the rate of weight gain or on linear growth over the complete course of the study. Thus, taurine supplementation of formulas returns plasma and urine concentrations of this amino acid to those found in human milk-fed infants. However, these data indicate that the supplementation of formulas with taurine has no benefit with respect to growth.

Body Weight↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Photosensitized oxidation of tryptophan: effect on liver and brain tryptophan.

Toxic products are formed when tryptophan is irradiated with light in the presence of photosensitizers such as riboflavin. In order to further investigate this phenomenon, solutions of tryptophan (48 mumol.mL-1) were irradiated with broad spectrum fluorescent light in the presence or absence of riboflavin (0.01 mg.mL-1). Solutions of riboflavin were similarly irradiated; control solutions were the respective solutions not exposed to light. Two-week-old suckling gerbils were then assigned to receiving 7 days of intraperitoneal injections of the light-exposed or non-light-exposed solutions. There were significant differences in the concentrations of tryptophan in serum, liver, and brain; activity of gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) as well as liver protein were also significantly different among the groups. Body and liver weights were also significantly different among the groups. In order to identify the photoproducts responsible for these changes, solutions of tryptophan that had been irradiated with light in the presence of riboflavin were then fractionated based on time of elution during high-pressure liquid chromatography and the fractions were then injected into the gerbils as before. GGT responses to one of the fractions was similar to that of the parent compound. Chromatographic studies indicated the presence of numerous photoadduct compounds of tryptophan and riboflavin after exposure to light. Both the presence of riboflavin and the exposure of the solutions to light alter brain concentrations of tryptophan in the developing gerbil indicating differing availability to the brain of this serotonin precursor. Clinical implications of the infusion of amino acids in the presence of photosensitizers and light must be considered.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Amino acid infusions induce reversible, dose-related decreases in bile flow in the isolated rat liver.

Parenteral infusion of amino acid solutions is known to produce cholestasis in experimental animal models and in the isolated perfused rat liver. To characterize the dose responsiveness and reversibility of amino acid-induced cholestasis, isolated rat livers were perfused with solutions containing 1.5, 3.0, or 6.0 g of amino acids for 1 hour and allowed to recover for 30 minutes. Perfusion of livers resulted in a rapid, dose-related decrease in bile flow (p < .0001 at doses of 3.0 and 6.0 g). When the amino acid solution was discontinued, bile flow recovered to near control rates. Infusion of taurocholate reduced the magnitude of the decrease in bile flow associated with amino acid infusion but did not prevent it. Infusion of amino acid solutions was associated with the following changes in bile: (1) dose-related increases in total free amino acid concentrations; (2) increased osmolarity; (3) increased glucose concentrations; (4) increased potassium concentrations; (5) decreased chloride concentrations; (6) increased oxygen uptake in livers not perfused with added taurocholate; and (7) increased total bile acid concentrations in livers perfused with added taurocholate. Additional investigations are needed to determine whether these associations are attributable to individual amino acids or the total metabolic load of the amino acids.

Amino Acids↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Biliary amino acid and glutathione secretion in response to amino acid infusion in the isolated rat liver.

The intravenous infusion of amino acid solutions has been associated with cholestatic liver injury in hospitalized patients and in laboratory animals. In the isolated rat liver, we recently showed that the acute decrease in bile flow, previously reported by other investigators, is dose related, reversible, and associated with dose-related increases in total biliary amino acid concentrations. In the present study, we characterized the effects of graded infusions of amino acid solutions, with and without taurocholate, on biliary secretion of individual amino acids and glutathione, an important regulator of bile flow. Livers from young adult male rats were perfused with an amino acid solution for 1 hour and allowed to recover for 30 minutes. Infusion of the amino acid solution was associated with dose-related increases in biliary concentrations of most amino acids included in the amino acid solution. Infusion of amino acid solutions resulted in a decreased bile/perfusate ratio of most amino acids, which were secreted into bile in amounts approximating their calculated uptake from the infusate. The inclusion of taurocholate in the infusate was associated with lower biliary concentrations of each individual amino acid and significant decreases in biliary total, reduced, and oxidized glutathione. Further investigation of the relationship between these changes in biliary amino acids and glutathione concentrations and the cholestasis associated with infusion of amino acid solutions may provide insights into the mechanism by which amino acids induce such cholestasis.

Amino Acids↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The effects of light exposure on the in vitro hepatic response to an amino acid-vitamin solution.

BACKGROUND: Administration of parenteral nutrition (PN) that has been irradiated with light is associated with hepatic dysfunction in rats in vivo. Using the isolated perfused rat liver, we report the in vitro hepatic response to a light-exposed amino acid-vitamin (AAV) solution, compared with a light-protected solution. METHODS: The amino acid-vitamin solution (3 g Aminosyn and 2.5 mL MVI-12 added to buffer) was placed under a lamp in a beaker that was covered completely with foil (light-protected) or with a transparent wrap (light-exposed) for 24 hours before liver perfusion. Livers from adult male rats were isolated and perfused with buffer for 30 minutes, with the AAV solution for 60 minutes, and again with buffer for 30 minutes. RESULTS: Infusion with the AAV solution resulted in decreases in bile flow rates. Compared with light-protected groups, light-exposure was associated with significantly lower bile flow rates, significant increases in biliary concentrations of oxidized glutathione (GSSG), and significantly decreased biliary concentrations of free amino acids, including the glutathione precursors glutamate and glycine. CONCLUSIONS: Perfusion of the isolated rat liver with an AAV solution that has been irradiated with light for 24 hours results in a decrease in bile flow rates and an increase in biliary GSSG concentrations, suggesting oxidant stress. Consideration should be given to protecting solutions from light in the clinical setting.

Amino Acids↗