Effects of 6-aminonicotinamide (6-AN) on the levels of proteins, metabolites and enzyme activities in the plasma of Japanese quail were investigated. The concentrations of soluble proteins in the pectoral and hindlimb muscle of the 6-AN treated and the pair-fed groups were significantly reduced compared to the control group. In the plasma, the levels of total proteins and albumin were not affected, but the levels of globulin were significantly lower than those of the control and pair-fed groups. In contrast, the levels of glucose and creatine were significantly elevated. Cellulose acetate gel electrophoresis showed that 6-AN induced a new synthesis of prealbumin and also increased the levels of β-globulin relative to the control and pair-fed groups. In contrast, the levels of γ-globulin were markedly lower than those of the control group, whereas the levels of α-globulin were not affected. The specific activity of alkaline phosphatase of the 6-AN group was significantly lower than that of the control and pair-fed groups and that of aspartate aminotransferase only lower than that of the control group but not the pair-fed group. The specific activities of creatine phosphokinase and lactate dehydrogenase of the 6-AN group were the greatest among the three groups, whereas those of the pair-fed group were greater than those of the control group. The results suggest that 6-AN may interfere with the proper maintenance of energy charges and the immune system function.
Read full abstract