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Brain Histidine and Food Intake in Rats Fed Diets Deficient in Single Amino Acids^{1 ,2}

L. Preston Mercer^3,, Steven J. Dodds, Michael R. Schweisthal and Jon D. Dunn

Departments of Biochemistry and Anatomy, School of Medicine, Oral Roberts University, Tulsa, OK 74171

Histidine (His) is elevated in plasma and brain during protein deficiency as well as in several pathological conditions, leading to the possibility of a direct effect on central nervous system (CNS) function. In this study, groups of weanling rats were fed diets containing graded levels of casein or a single indispensable amino acid (IAA: Leu, Val, Ile, Phe, Trp, Thr, Met or Lys) in order to produce nutritionally-deficient states. Body weight gains and food intakes were recorded daily for 2 wk. Whole brain and serum samples were obtained and analyzed for amino acid (AA) content. All weight gain and food intake responses could be predicted by the Saturation Kinetics Model. The only consistent pattern observed in AA profiles which could be correlated with food intake was an increase in brain His concentrations. Limiting dietary casein or IAA elevated brain His above controls 2.5- and 1.5-fold, respectively. Food intake was generally depressed by 50% at brain His concentrations above 105 nmol/g. Since His is the precursor of the depressant neurotransmitter histamine (HA), systemic increases may be significant in that HA could be a possible cause of the anorexia observed in protein and IAA deficiency.

KEY WORDS: • histidine • histamine • food intake • anorexia • mathematical model

¹ Supported by an intramural grant from the School of Medicine, Oral Roberts University.

² Presented in part at the 1988 Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology meeting, Las Vegas, NV.

³ To whom correspondence and reprint requests should be addressed.

Manuscript received 20 May 1988. Revision accepted 26 September 1988.