Effects of Protein Depletion and Protein Calorie Restriction on Metabolic and Enzymatic Activities in Adult Rats

열량제한(熱量制限) 및 무단백식이(無蛋白食餌)가 흰쥐의 체내대사(體內代謝)에 미치는 영향(影響)

Metabolic responses to the protein-free, high-carbohydrate diet and subsequent food restriction on the same diet at the level of 50% and 75% has been studied on the adult albino rats. The energy source was either corn starch or sugar. In experiment I, adult male rats weighing $509{\pm}8g$ were divided into two groups 10 rats each. Rats fed on the stock diet served as a control. Rats of restriction group received a protein free diet until they reduced their weight down to 400g and continue on a protein-calorie restriction diet until they reduced their weight down to 300g. In experiment II, 28 adult male rats and the same numbers of female rats weighing $329{\pm}5g$ and $223{\pm}4g$ respectively were divided into four groups, 7 males and females in each. Rats fed on a stock diet were sacrificed at the point when others started a protein free diet. These were served as the control. The protein free group received a protein free diet ad libitum for 4 weeks. The 50% restriction group and 75% restriction group were fed on a protein free diet coupled with food restriction at levels of 50% and 75% respectively for 3 weeks. In the result of this study: 1. The rate of body weight changes was similar between the males and the females. Feeding protein free diet ad lib. initiated a rapid weight lost of approximately 25% and protein free diet coupled with food restriction showed 37-43% reduction of their initial weight. 2. There was no significant differences in the value of the N concentration in liver, spleen, brain and muscle between controls and experimental groups. 3. Rats fed on protein free diet showed 1/10 value of the control in the nitrogen excretion in urine. However female showed less N excretion than male. 4. Observing blood picture, the effects of protein depletion and calorie restriction were not appeared any remarkable changes. 5. There was no sign of fatty liver which might result from protein depletion and calorie restriction. 6. Following semi-starvation, FAO and HMP-DH total enzyme activity was reduced, but activity per unit weight was relatively stable.