Influence of time lag in amino acid absorption on nitrogen retention in rats

Abstract

Depending on the form of nitrogen sources, there is a time lag in amino acid absorption. However, the influence of such a time lag on nitrogen retention is not known. In the present experiment we created a time lag in amino acid absorption and observed nitrogen retention in rats. Two unbalanced amino acid mixtures were prepared. The equal amount of combination of these mixtures makes the amino acid pattern of egg protein. Rats were given these two unbalanced amino acid mixture diets alternatively at 08:00–09:30 hr, 11:00–12:30 hr, 14:00–15:30 hr, and 17:00–18:30 hr for 14 days. Control rats were given egg-protein-pattern amino acid mixture diet at the same time and periods as the experimental group. Dietary amino acid levels were 5% and 10%. Although the control and experimental rats ate similar amounts of each amino acid, there was a time lag in the amino acid absorption. Plasma aminograms, hematologic values, body protein concentration, and growth were very similar. The results indicate that nitrogen utilization is not influenced by a relatively small time lag in amino acid absorption.