QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Purchase Article View Shopping Cart Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Fomon, S. J. Articles by Edwards, B. B. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Fomon, S. J. Articles by Edwards, B. B.

Requirement for Sulfur-Containing Amino Acids in Infancy

Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242

A series of studies designed to define the requirement of normal infants for sulfur-containing amino acids (methionine, cystine) was conducted with formulas providing 3.0, 2.8, 2.6, 2.2 or 1.8 g of isolated soy protein per 100 kcal. The formulas were fed with or without a methionine supplement. Adequacy of the diet was determined by measurement of growth, serum chemical indices and nitrogen balance. Nitrogen balance demonstrated a beneficial effect of methionine supplementation only at the lowest protein concentration (1.8 g/100 kcal). However, measurement of weight gain and/or serum concentrations of urea nitrogen and albumin clearly showed a beneficial effect of methionine supplementation at protein concentrations of 2.2 and 2.6 g/100 kcal. Intakes of sulfur-containing amino acids of 435 and 495 µmol/100 kcal therefore appear inadequate. At higher intakes of protein (2.8 and 3.0 g/100 kcal) there was no beneficial effect of methionine supplementation. Possible exceptions were male infants provided with 3.0 g protein per 100 kcal, in whom weight gain between 8 and 56 d of age was significantly (P < 0.05) greater with than without a methionine supplement. Based on intakes of sulfur-containing amino acids from the formula providing 2.8 g of isolated soy protein per 100 kcal without methionine supplementation, we conclude that for male infants older than 56 d the requirement for sulfur-containing amino acids is no more than 588 µmol/100 kcal when intake of methionine is 264 µmol/100 kcal. However, it seems possible that such intakes fail to meet the requirement in male infants less than 56 d of age. For female infants, regardless of age, 533 µmol/100 of sulfur-containing amino acids per 100 kcal meet the requirement when intake of methionine is 239 µmol/100 kcal.

KEY WORDS: • sulfur-containing amino acids • methionine • isolated soy protein • normal infants

Manuscript received 2 December 1985. Revision accepted 14 March 1986.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				M. A Humayun, J. M Turner, R. Elango, M. Rafii, V. Langos, R. O Ball, and P. B Pencharz Minimum methionine requirement and cysteine sparing of methionine in healthy school-age children. Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, November 1, 2006; 84(5): 1080 - 1085. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. O. Ball, G. Courtney-Martin, and P. B. Pencharz The In Vivo Sparing of Methionine by Cysteine in Sulfur Amino Acid Requirements in Animal Models and Adult Humans J. Nutr., June 1, 2006; 136(6): 1682S - 1693S. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. J. Garlick Toxicity of Methionine in Humans J. Nutr., June 1, 2006; 136(6): 1722S - 1725S. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				N. Stettler, V. A. Stallings, A. B. Troxel, J. Zhao, R. Schinnar, S. E. Nelson, E. E. Ziegler, and B. L. Strom Weight Gain in the First Week of Life and Overweight in Adulthood: A Cohort Study of European American Subjects Fed Infant Formula Circulation, April 19, 2005; 111(15): 1897 - 1903. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				B. L. Strom, R. Schinnar, E. E. Ziegler, K. T. Barnhart, M. D. Sammel, G. A. Macones, V. A. Stallings, J. M. Drulis, S. E. Nelson, and S. A. Hanson Exposure to Soy-Based Formula in Infancy and Endocrinological and Reproductive Outcomes in Young Adulthood JAMA, August 15, 2001; 286(7): 807 - 814. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]