SOME OBSERVATIONS ON THE COMPARATIVE EFFECTS OF COLD AND BURNS ON PROTEIN METABOLISM IN RATS

Abstract

1. The comparative effects on nitrogen excretion of cold and burns have been investigated in preliminary experiments by a study of nitrogen excretion in rats receiving a constant calorie and protein intake on a high fat diet administered by tube.2. Under these conditions, as is to be expected, cold and burns produce an increase in nitrogen excretion within 24 or 48 hours.3. In two experiments the effects of cold and of burning on nitrogen excretion were not additive; in one at a colder temperature N loss was increased by burning.4. A methionine supplement does not reduce the excess nitrogen excretion due to cold, or the excess nitrogen excretion due to burning in the cold.We are grateful to R. W. Wakelin and Miss J. Jenkins for technical assistance in experiment 1, and to Miss C. Stayte for assistance in experiments 2, 3 and 4, and to T. F. Clarke for help with animals. We are also grateful for financial help from the Medical Research Council, and to the Ministry of Supply for methionine.