Changes in the concentration of sulfur-containing amino acids in the brain after methionine load in the experimentChanges in the concentration of sulfur-containing amino acids in the brain after methionine load in the experiment

Abstract

The effect of methionine overload on the state of the pool of sulfur-containing amino acids and their metabolites was studied in the various brain structures determined by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In all regions of the brain studied, methionine led to a unidirectional imbalance of sulfur-containing compounds: there was an increase in the concentrations of methionine, cystathionine and hypotaurine. The most pronounced increase in methionine and hypotaurine levels was observed in the striatum, cystathionine in the hemispheres. A significant increase in taurine concentration was observed only in the hypothalamus and striatum. In other parts of the brain a tendency to increase its level was shown. In all brain regions studied except the striatum, serine levels were decreased. In the cerebellum, in comparison with other regions, an increase in the level of cysteic acid and a decrease in the level of cysteinesulfinic acid were observed, which indicates that taurine synthesis is occurred mainly through the cysteine sulfinate oxidation.