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Protein-Calorie Malnutrition in Young Miniature Swine: Brain Free Amino Acids¹

Sinclair Comparative Medicine Research Farm and Department of Veterinary Anatomy-Physiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65201

The effects of protein-calorie malnutrition (PCM) on cerebrum, cerebellum, and brainstem free amino acid levels were evaluated using 54 miniature swine. Eighteen piglets were weaned at each of the following ages: 5, 21, or 35 days. Within each age group, six piglets were assigned to one of three feeding regimes: 20% protein diet fed ad libitum, 5% protein diet fed ad libitum (malnourished), or 20% protein diet pair-fed to malnourished piglets. At age 63 days, brain samples were collected and analyzed for free amino acid content. Patterns of free amino acids appeared to be related to age of PCM onset. Not only did the time of initiation determine which amino acid concentrations were altered, but also the manner of alteration and the area of the brain in which concentrations varied. Furthermore, different patterns of brain free amino acid concentrations were observed for protein-deficient piglets than for pair-fed piglets.

KEY WORDS: • protein-calorie malnutrition • brain free amino acids

¹ Supported in part by USPHS Grants RR-00390 and RR-00285.

² Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65201.

Manuscript received 1 May 1974.