[Secretion of radioactively labeled amino acids into the digestive tract. I. Report 14C labeling of the pancreas after subcutaneous injection of 14C-leucine in rats]

[Determination of the protein quality of food and animal feed]

The estimated value of true digestibility of food and feed proteins is in dependence from the excretion of metabolic faecal nitrogen (MFN). Results of many authors showed that a high fibre content of the diet increase the MFN-excretion and lower the true digestibility of the diet protein. The exact estimation of MFN is only possible with isotopic methods. The labelling of feed proteins with isotopic nitrogen (15N) is possible in experiments with small animals. In big animals (pigs) the utilization of recycled 15N is too high following the long transit time of non digested 15N-labelled feed protein and the parallel 15N-labelling of MFN. The best method for the estimation of true digestibility of proteins is the method with 15N-labelled animals and the differentiation between nonlabelled undigested feed protein and the 15N-labelled MFN in faeces. The estimation of digestibility of essential amino acids at the end of the ileum as a measure for protein quality is not in advantage because the bacterial breakdown and synthesis of amino acids in the small intestine is unknown. The estimation of the biological value (BV) of proteins with the classical method is useful when the exact MFN was determined. The classic formula of BV [formula: see text] is only applicable in experiments with growing animals with nitrogen retention. This result of BV value is in agreement with the method only valid for growing animals with N-retention and not for animals or human beings in maintenance. The measurement of a BV of proteins with animals in maintenance is possible when the animals are labelled with 15N. The 15N-loss of the animal after the feeding of different protein sources is the smallest when the amino acid pattern of the protein is adapted to the need of amino acids for the maintenance metabolism of the animal. It was found that proteins with a high content of glutamic and aspartic acid (proteins of grains) are better proteins for the maintenance metabolism as animal proteins. Measurements with the method of the oxydation rate of essential amino acids showed that the amino acid pattern of wheat protein is in agreement with the need of amino acids for maintenance of the adult men. The evaluation of protein quality in animal nutrition for growing or lactating monogastric animals is in the present time the balance of essential amino acids in the feed protein and the need of this amino acids of the animals.

[Dynamics of amino acid and protein metabolism of laying hens after administration of 15N-labeled wheat protein. 6. 15N incorporation into the contents and tissue of segments of the gastrointestinal tract and into the pancreas]

12 colostomized laying hens received, together with a conventional feed ration, 15N labelled wheat with a 15N excess (15N') of 14.37 atom-% over 4 days. 3 animals each were butchered after 12 h, 36 h, 60 h and 108 h after the last 15N' application and, apart from various organs, the contents and the tissue of the gastro-intestinal tract of each hen was divided into 3 fractions. TCA precipitation was carried out with the contents and the tissue of the 3 fractions. Nitrogen and its atom-% 15N' were determined in the supernatant and the precipitate. The 15N' amount in the contents of the crop and the stomachs, the small and large intestines is still considerable 12 h after the last 15N wheat feeding and still clearly detectable 108 h after it. The TCA precipitable amounts of 14N and 15N' of the contents of crop and stomach and that of the small intestine agree well; they are 75% and 50% resp. of the total N. The amount of atom-% 15N' of the contents of the small and large intestines remains the same up to 36 h after the last 15N' application and is higher at the following measuring points in the contents of the large intestine. A close correlation could be ascertained between the atom-% 15N' in the contents and tissue of the small and large intestines. The TCA soluble N quotas of both 14N and 15N' in the pancreas are higher than 50%.

[Dynamics of amino acid and protein metabolism in laying hens after the administration of 15N-labeled wheat protein. 2. 15N excretion with nitrogen and basic amino acids of the feces]

Over 4 days 12 colostomized laying hens received together with a commercial ration labelled wheat with a 15N excess (15N') of 14.37 atom-%. The labelling of the basic amino acids amounted to 13.58 atom-% for lysine, to 14.38 atom-% for histidine and to 13.63 atom-% 15N' for arginine. 3 animals each were butchered 12 h, 36 h, 60 h and 108 h resp. after the last application of 15N. The heavy nitrogen in the total N and in the N fraction of non-protein origin as well as in the basic amino acids in faeces was daily determined for the individual hens in the total experimental period. On average the crude protein of faeces contained 5.45 % lysine, 2.32% histidine histidine and 3.68% arginine: the protein of faeces correspondingly contained 5.43% lysine, 2.32% histidine and 4.07% arginine. The quota of TCA soluble N in the total N of faeces amounts to one third on the 3rd und 4th days of the experiment and that of 15N' to 28%. The average atom-% 15N' of the protein fraction is 3.48 atom-% 15N' and that of the non-protein N fraction of faeces 2.93 atom-% 15N'. The apparent digestibility and that of the non-protein N fraction of faeces 2.93 atom-% 15N'. The apparent digestibility of the 14N of the ration on average amounts to 82.8% and that of the wheat 15N' to 87.5%. The average quota of the basic amino acids in the protein compounds of faeces amounts to 70.9% for lysine 15N', 73.7% for histidine 15N' and 70.3% for arginine 15N'. The digestibility of the 15N labelled amino acids amounts to 80.4% for lysine, 90.8% for histidine and 90.2% for arginine.

[Absorption of 14C-leucine and 15N-leucine in rats after feeding a fish meal diet in comparison with a gelatin diet]

Albino rats received after nine days of adaptation to a fish meal diet in comparison with a gelatin diet 14C-U-Leucine and 15N-L-leucine via a pellet made from the specific diet after food deprivation for 15 h. Thereafter, the experimental animals consumed the non-labelled experimental diet ad libitum. Five times after the pellet intake, 30 min, and 1, 2, 4 and 6 h after injection of the labelled food, four experimental rats were sacrificed. The contents of the digestive tract and tissue samples were examined for 14C and 15N. We detected to following percentages of 14C-intake or the intake of 15N-excess (15N') in the TCA-soluble fraction of the gastric contents: [Formula: see text] We found in the TCA-soluble fraction of digesta of small intestine the following percentage of intake: [Formula see text] Where these values regarded as non-absorbed leucine, the 14C values obtained up to four hour period of experiment would be too high. Presumably, they are in the case of both diets simulated by other 14C-metabolites which originate from the leucine catabolism and reach the intestinal lumen. Amino acids labelled with 15N should be preferred in studies on the absorption of amino acids because, in case of catabolism, the 15N-aminogroup is excreted mainly in the form of urea via urine.

[Endogenous N-secretion in the small intestine of pigs]

The method of isotope dilution for the determination of endogenous N-secretion was used with three pigs of a live weight of between 15 and 27 kg, which were provided with simple cannulae at the end of the small intestines. The test animals received a single dose of a semi-synthetic ration with 15N-labelled dried curds as sole source of protein. The passage rate to the ileum ascertained with the help of 51Cr2O3 was 70% in 24 hours. During the test period of 24 hours the endogeneous N-amount in the ileum chyme was 1.11 g resp. 56.6 mg/kg live weight. Of that, 60% were allowed to be absorbed in the chyme at the end of the small intestine.

[New method of checking the quality of food proteins required for maintenance. 2. 15N excretion in feces of test rats labelled with 15N after feeding with different protein sources]

For 7 days 37 test rats received a casein diet with an extra of 6.6 mg 15N-excess in the form of ammonium acetate. From the eighth test day onwards 4 resp. 5 rats each received various protein sources under maintenance conditions (115 kcal/kg body mass0,75). The atom-% 15N-excess was determined in feces, blood liver and muscles (urine cf. 1st information). The endogenous quota of N in the feces was calculated as follows: (formula: see text). The numerical value of the TCA-soluble fraction of N in the total blood was corrected by the decrease of the atom-%15N' in the last 12 hours (time for the passage of the fecel matter from small intestines to excretion). Since the endogenously excreted N-amount varied greatly according to different feed, a scale is proposed as biologic value of food proteins, which exclusively refers to the metabolic fecal nitrogen (MFN) under conditions of maintenance (abbr. MFN-BV). A proposal for its definition is: (formula: see text). Above that, a total BV is suggested which also refers to maintenance metabolism. The total BV is calculated as follows: (formula: see text). The following values were ascertained for MFN-BV and total BV: casein = 80 and 82; complete egg=68 and 67; fish meal=61 and 86; Torula yeast=31 and 46; peas=41 and 43; soya (assay protein)=73 and 61; wheat=47 and 71; gelatin=64 and 42. Finally, the recommendation is given to include in feed tables real digestibility values for food proteins ascertained with the 15N method. In the above mentioned order the following values of the real digestibility of proteins were ascertained with the 15N method and classical methods: casein=98.2 and 97.2; complete egg=100.0 and 98.7; fish meal=96.9 and 93.4; Torula yeast=83.0 and 67.6; peas=97.1 and 85.6; soya (assay protein)=98.3 and 96.4; wheat=95.7 and 87.3; gelatin=99.1 and 96.0. *cf. 1st information Bergner et al. (1978)

[Nitrogen and amino acid resorption by swine. 4. Amino acid resorption]

The seeming and the actual absorption of amino acids of three pigs with a body mass of 50 kg was determined by inserting re-entrant cannulas at the upper small intestine and its end. The test ration contained dry curds labelled with 15N. The content of N and of amino acids as well as the 15N-excess in the amino acids were determined in the food and the chyme. This served the ascertainment of the actual absorption of amino acids in the small intestines.

[Nitrogen and amino acid absorption in swine. 3. Endogenous secretion and absorption of nitrogen]

The endogenous nitrogen in the duodenum and the distal segment of the small intestine of 3 fistulated pigs fed a 15-N-labelled feed protein was determined using the isotope dilution technique. Over 24 hours, the endogenous N secretion was found at least 12.5 g at the end of the duodenum. For the upper segment of the small intestine, a statistically secured correlation between endogenous nitrogen and chyme amount was found to exist. It was possible to determine the true and apparent absorption of the nitrogen for both individual segments of and the whole digestive tract.

[Secretion of radioactively labeled amino acids into the digestive tract. 4. 14C label and 14C-leucine in the digestive tract following subcutaneous injection of 14C-leucine in rats after ligation of the pancreas]

Secretion into the Gastro-Intestinal Tract of Amino Acids Labelled with Radioactive Isotopes. (4) 14C-Labelling and 14C-Leucine in the Gastro-Intestinal Tract after Subcutaneous Injection of 14C-Leucine to Rats with Tied-off Pancreatic Gland.

[The secretion of radioactively labeled amino acids into the digestive tract. 3. 14C-labeling of the intestinal wall after subcutaneous injection of 14C-L-leucine in rats]

Experimental rats allotted in 4 different groups received 14C leucine injections at 4 different levels of specific 14C activity. Groups A and B were injected a leucine dosis corresponding to the daily requirement, the specific 14C activity being high (A) and low (B). Groups C and D were injected a leucine dosis of one ninth the amount applied to groups A and B, the level of 14C labelling being again high (C) and low (D). The 14C labelling of the TCE-soluble fraction of the 1st third section of the small intestinal wall in all 4 groups proved identical with the course of the curve representing the TCE-soluble fraction of the small intestine contents. The specific 14C leucine activity of the intestinal wall of the 1st third section of the small intestine was found to be 5 to 8 times lower than in the TCE-soluble fraction of the pancreatic gland. Thus a dilution effect has been produced from absorption. Two minutes after injection, the 14C labelling of the intestinal wall proteins had half the level of labelling of the pancreatic proteins. This finding applied to both the 1st and the 3rd sections of the small intestine. The results obtained allow to conclude that 14C labelling of intestinal wall proteins is relatively independent of 14C leucine absorption and is conditioned by the level of labelling of the plasma leucine.

[Secretion of radioactively labeled amino acids into the digestive tract. 2. 14C labeling and amount of 14C leucine in the intestinal contents after subcutaneous injection of 14C leucine in rats]

Experimental rats received a subcutaneous injection of 14C of varying activity. The rats were then killed in groups within a period of from 2 mins to 30 mins after the injection. A certain amount of 14C activity was detected in the intestinal contents as early as 2 mins after the injection, both as free 14C leucine and in the TCE soluble portion of the intestinal contents (TCE=trichloroacetic acid). A comparison of the degree of labelling in the TCE soluble and the TCE precipitable fractions of the intestinal contents showed that the most likely way for free 14C leucine to get into the lumen of the intestine is via the pancreatic juice while that for protein-bound 14C leucine is through the proteins in the pancreatic gland. The degree of labelling in both fractions decreased very steeply from the first to the third third of the intestine. This may be caused either by absorption of the secreted 14C leucine or may be brought about by a delay in food passage through the intestine.