BRAIN GROWTH FOLLOWING WHEAT PROTEIN SUPPLEMENTATION

Abstract

The supplementation of wheat with its limiting amino acids, lysine (1ys) and threonine (threo) has been shown to improve the growth of children receiving low protein diets. If supplementation also improves brain growth, it might provide a strong argument for routine amino acid addition. In the present study, 3 pregnant rats were given one of 3 diets: A) bread only, B) bread + lys, or C) bread + lys + threo through 2 pregnancies and lactations. All litters were reduced to 8 offspring (48 pups per diet). At age 22 days, total body weights were greater (p <.001) for pups whose mothers were fed diet C compared to diet B and diet B compared to diet A. Total serum proteins were greater (p>.05) for pups fed diet C (4.5 ± 0.4 g%) compared to diets A (3.7 ± 1.2 g%) or B (3.8 ± 0.3 g%). Total brain, cerebellum, cerebrum, and brain stem weights were greater (p >.001) for offspring from diet C compared to diet B, and for diet B compared to diet A. Cellularity, as measured by total DNA, was similarly greater for all brain areas for diet C offspring compared to diets A or B (p <.001) and for diet B compared to diet A (p <.05 or less). Cell size was reduced only in the cerebellum (C>B>A). Brain protein was increased in all brain areas (p <.001) for diets B and C compared to diet A. This study indicates the need for the careful neurologic and intellectual assessment of children receiving wheat supplementation to determine if improvement in these parameters might occur.