Diet-Age Pattern for Hepatic Enzyme Activity

Abstract

The relationship has been investigated between activity of hepatic enzymes and age of the rat and between hepatic enzymes and diet. The activity levels of alkaline phosphatase, histidase, D-amino acid oxidase and cathepsin have been adjusted from that of one age to that of another age by means of diet. Diets containing large proportions of casein altered the levels of activity from those of young rats to those of older rats while diets containing small proportions of casein altered the levels of activity of older rats to those of more youthful rats. At each age, these hepatic enzymes responded to diet to the same degree. It is suggested that a diet-age pattern exists for all hepatic enzyme activity.