AMINO ACID LEVELS IN HYDRAZINE-TREATED RATS

Tyrosine-loaded rats, injected with hydrazine, showed a marked elevation of plasma and brain tyrosine levels above that of a comparable tyrosine-loaded control group. An additional control group receiving only hydrazine had plasma and brain tyrosine levels greater than the tyrosine-loaded controls. The subsequent measurement of total α-amino nitrogen levels demonstrated that hydrazine injections, with or without tyrosine loading, resulted in approximately a 3-fold increase in plasma α-amino nitrogen levels when measured 3 hours after treatment. Eighteen hours after hydrazine injection plasma, brain, and liver α-amino acid levels were still above control values. Such findings are consistent with the known in vitro inhibition of amino acid metabolism by hydrazine, due to binding of the coenzyme pyridoxal phosphate. © 1968.