Prevention of DL-Methionine Toxicity in Rats by Vitamins E, B12, Folacin, Glycine and Arginine.

Abstract

When 2.5% DL-methionine was added to a 10% casein diet low in vits. E and B12 and folacin, the growth rate of rats was reduced to 32% of that obtained on a control diet with only 0.5% added methionine. Addition of the 3 vitamins to the high methionine diet allowed growth at 54% of the control rate. Supplements of glycine and arginine as molar equivalent to the excess methionine allowed growth at 62% of the control rate. The combined supplements of the glycine-arginine with the 3 vitamins permitted normal growth (95% of the controls). Of the 3 vitamins only the combination of vit. E with folacin was effective; neither of these alone, or combined with vit. Bl2, relieved the methionine toxicity. Urinary creatine and the sensitivity to acute CCl4 poisoning was determined on all rats. It was also noted that the toxicity of 4% dietary glycine was preventable by supplements of methionine with vit. E.