Effect of Diet on Rat Liver Betaine Transmethylase

Abstract

Weanling Sprague-Dawley rats were given a basal diet containing an isolated soybean protein and the usual vits. including folic acid and vit. B12. This basal diet and the basal diet with various supplements was fed for 2 wks. and the liver assayed for betaine transmethylase activity. Liver from rats receiving the basal diet contained none of the enzyme. Supplementation with liver extract or yeast was ineffective in restoring the enzyme. Supplementation with 10% casein or a mixture of the essential amino acids restored the enzyme activity. Tryptophane was the most effective of the single amino acid supplements. There was no correlation between the effects of the various supplements on betaine transmethylase and growth of the animals.