Browsing by Author "C. Prasad"

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Brain free amino acids glutamic acid system in growing rats fed wheat & Bengalgram protein diets
(1979) C. Prasad; S. Mehta; K.N. Agarwal
[No abstract available]
Effect of low quality dietary proteins on brain protein and enzymes of glutamic acid metabolism in rats
(1980) K.N. Agarwal; V. Taneja; C. Prasad
[No abstract available]
Effect of wheat and bengalgram diets on brain glutamate metabolism in postweanling rats
(1980) K.N. Agarwal; C. Prasad
Six groups of five female rats each aged 6 weeks at start were fed different diets for a period of 15 days. The protein sources of diets used were: a) 10% casein: b) wheat: c) Bengalgram: d) wheat + lysine: and e) Bengal gram + methionine + cystine + tryptophan, all containing 1.6 g nitrogen/100 g, and f) 20% casein (3.2 g nitrogen/100 g diet). The group of five rats fed a 10% casein diet served as control. It was observed that total brain RNA, protein and free α amino nitrogen content and protein/DNA ratio were significantly decreased on wheat and Bengalgram diets as compared to the control. The specific activities of glutamine synthetase, glutaminase I, glutaminase II and glutamate decarboxylase and concentrations of aspartic acid, glutamic acid, glutamine and gammaaminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain were also decreased on wheat and Bengal gram diets. The fortification of wheat with lysine and of Bengal gram with methionine, cystine and tryptophan did not alter brain weight and DNA content. While brain RNA, protein free α amino nitrogen (FαAN) and activities of enzymes of glutamic acid metabolism and related amino acid levels were restored, the activity of enzyme glutamine transferase and alanine concentration remained unaltered on various diets fed. The observations on 20% casein diet showed that levels were similar to those observed on 10% casein diet.
Intrauterine Malnutrition and the Brain: Effects on Enzymes and Free Amino Acids Related to Glutamate Metabolism
(1980) C. Prasad; K.N. Agarwal
Abstract: The effect of feeding pregnant rats with wheat and Bengal gram (black chick pea) diets during the later part of pregnancy on brain growth, enzymes, and free amino acids of glutamate metabolism in 1‐day‐old rats was investigated. These diets did not induce growth dissociation, and the body and brain weights were equally affected. The concentrations of DNA, RNA, protein, and free α‐amino nitrogen in brain decreased significantly and the activities of glutamine synthetase, glutamine transferase, glutaminase 1, glutaminase 11, and glutamate decarboxylase and the concentrations of free amino acids, glutamic acid, glutamine, alanine, and GABA were also decreased. The concentration of aspartic acid, however, was increased. Wheat and Bengal gram diets fortified with lysine and with methionine, cystine, and tryptophan respectively showed various beneficial effects on the changes observed in the brain. A 20% casein diet induced higher body and brain weights and better brain protein and free α‐amino nitrogen concentrations than those observed on a 10% casein diet. Copyright © 1980, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved
Protein deprivation and the brain: Effect on enzymes and free amino acids related to glutamate metabolism in rats
(1981) K.N. Agarwal; C. Prasad; Veena Taneja
6-week-old, female albino rats were fed one of three diets containing 5, 10 and 20% casein for a period of 15 days. Rats fed the low protein diet (5 % casein) lost weight (6.3 ± 0.7 g/week), whereas those on the two higher protein diets gained weight. The concentrations of protein and free amino nitrogen in the brain were significantly lower in those on the low protein diet (5% casein) compared to those on the high protein diet (20% casein). The activities of brain enzymes, glutamine synthetase, glutamine transferase, glutaminase I, glutamin-ase II and glutamate decarboxylase, and the concentrations of free amino acids, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, glutamine, alanine and GABA were also lower. The prospect for nutritional rehabilitation of rats fed the low protein diet appeared to be excellent and was illustrated by the reversal of the above changes after 15 days on the high protein diet. The diet containing 10% casein was sufficient for the normal production of enzymes and free amino acids related to glutamate metabolism. © 1981 S. Karger AG, Basel.