In order to study the lipotropic and toxic actions of DL-methionine, rats of SD strain were divided into 3 groups and were maintained for 22 days on diets prepared by adding 10%, 5% or 0% DL-methionine respectively to a basal diet containing 10% casein and 30% fat. The effect of supplement on weight change, crude fat contents of the liver, and histopathologic changes in livers and kidneys were investigated.
The rats in the 10% group showed a rapid weight decrease, and died successively after the 4th day. Those in the 5% group also showed a weight decrease, but were alive throughout the period of the experiment.
In both 10% and 5% groups, the crude fat contents were equal with those of the normal groups, but the liver and kiney exhibited a remarkable fatty degeneration by the probable intoxication.
