Sulfur Amino Acids Metabolism in the Copper-Deficient Rats

Abstract

Since the enzyme, cysteamine oxygenase, has copper as essential metal for full enzyme activity, the effect of copper deficiency on the sulfur amino acid metabolism, especially taurine formation was examined. Animals were fed on the copper-depleted diet with different casein level (20% and 30%) for 6 weeks.

Serum and hepatic copper concentration were decreased in copper-deficient animals, but hepatic iron was increased. The hepatic cysteine dioxygenase activities of copper-deficient rats did not exhibited significant difference from that of control animals in either 20% or 30% casein level. Hepatic and urinary taurine concentrations of the deficient rats was not also altered compared to those of respective control animals. No significant change was observed in the hepatic cysteine and glutathione content in copper”deficient rats.

These results suggest that significant effect of copper deficiency on the taurine formation was not observed, further investigation of cysteamine oxygenase activity in copper-deficient status is necessary.