Abstract
Anserine and carnosine contents were determined in muscle of rats subjected to histidine depletion or excessive supplement. The contents of anserine and carnosine were reduced in the gastro-cnemius muscle of rats fed a histidine-free diet. The diet showed especial-ly a remarkable decrease of carnosine content. After rehabilitation for one week, the muscle anserine and carnosine contents in histidine-deficient rat returned to the normal level.
The body and gastrocnemius muscle weights were decreased in rats fed a histidine-excess diet. However, anserine and carnosine content in muscle of rats fed a histidine-excess diet were twice of that of control rats.
Urinary excretion of Nπ-methylhistidine and Nτ-methylhistidine was in-creased in rats fed a histidine-excess diet.
