AJP - Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology, Vol 241, Issue 6 503-G508, Copyright © 1981 by American Physiological Society
Effect of portacaval shunt on sulfur amino acid metabolism in rats
L. E. Benjamin and R. D. Steele
Male rats were subjected to portacaval shunts (PCS). Postoperative growth
curves were similar between PCS and sham-operated control animals, with
complete recovery of preoperative body weight occurring within 7 days. PCS
rats had 30% smaller livers and 39% larger spleens at autopsy. Total liver
levels of reduced glutathione were decreased by 38% in PCS rats. Sulfur
amino acid metabolism was studied 6 wk after PCS by injection of
L-[methyl-14C]- or L-[1-14C]methionine with 14CO2 collection or by
similarly administering L-[35S]methionine or L-[35S] cysteine and measuring
24-h urinary 35SO4, [35S]taurine, and total 35S. There were no significant
differences in 14CO2 production over an 8-h period between PCS and sham
rats. PCS rats excreted 31% more 35SO4 and 25% more total 35S when injected
with 0.9 mmol of [35S]methionine and excreted 38% less [35S]taurine than
controls when injected with [35S]-cysteine. These results indicate altered
sulfur amino acid metabolism in PCS rats, an animal model of
portal-systemic shunting.
