Effect of Amino Acid Supplements on Growth and Fat Deposition in the Livers of Rats Fed Polished Rice

Abstract

The effect of amino acid supplements on growth and on fat deposition in the livers of rats fed rice diets has been studied. Fat accumulated to the extent of 8% to 10% (fresh wt.) in the livers of rats fed rice diets. The inclusion of 0.2% of L-lysine·HCl and 0.24% of DL-threonine in the rice diet did not prevent the accumulation of liver fat however the fat content of the liver was normal when 0.4% of L-lysine·HCl was included with either 0.24% or 0.5% of DL-threonine. Supplements of other amino acids were without effect on the deposition of liver fat. In confirmation of the observation of Pecora and Hundley ('51) growth was improved only when both lysine and threonine were included in the rice diet and further improvement was obtained only when a mixture of all of the essential amino acids was included.