Effect of Diet, Dietary Regimens and Strain Differences on Some Enzyme Activities in Rat Tissues

Abstract

The activities of aldolase, glucose 6-phosphatase, glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase and β-glucuronidase were measured in tissues of two strains of rats (Wistar and BHE) fed a stock diet or a diet containing 25% of whole egg (SPE), to assess the influence of diet and heredity on metabolism. Feeding the SPE diet resulted in increased liver and perirenal fat pad weights and liver protein in both strains of rats. Liver glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity was higher in all groups fed the stock diet whereas glucose 6-phosphatase and aldolase activities were higher in all groups fed the SPE diet. The BHE rats had higher liver glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase and β-glucuronidase activities but lower liver and serum alkaline phosphatase activities than Wistar rats receiving similar treatment. Fasting for 16 hours resulted in lower liver aldolase and liver, serum and kidney alkaline phosphatase activities in both strains. Only Wistar rats fed the SPE diet respired the carbon-1 on glucose more rapidly than the carbon-6. The Wistar rats fed the SPE diet had the lowest activity of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase in the liver; they apparently used the hexose monophosphate shunt more actively than the other groups. The total respired activities from glucose-U-¹⁴C were similar in each group.