NUTRITIONAL REHABILITATION OF MALNOURISHED RATS BY DIPEPTIDES AND TRIPEPTIDES - NITROGEN-METABOLISM AND INTESTINAL RESPONSE

An enzymic hydrolysate (DTP) rich in di- and tripeptides (75%) was prepared from bovine plasma proteins (BP). Protein-calorie malnourished rats were subjected to refeeding tests with diets having the same nitrogen and caloric contents and differing only in the molecular form of the nitrogen supply: BP, DTP, or an equivalent amino acid mixture (AAM). Growth, food intake, and food efficiency were measured after an eight-day period of rehabilitation; nitrogen balance and digestibility were also determined. Animals refed the DTP diet exhibited the best nutritional parameters, AAM failed to support any rehabilitation. In the intestine measurements of mucosal enzyme activities and morphometric studies strongly suggested the beneficial effect of DTP as indicated by increased both amino-peptidase N level and villus height. The results showed an adaptive response of rats to the molecular form of the nitrogen supply and demonstrated the superior efficacy of DTP for a rapid recovery from protein-calorie malnutrition.