[Activity of delta-aminolevulinic synthetase, cytochrome oxidase and levels of the mixed function oxidase system during experimental protein malnutrition. Response to re-alimentation].

Activities of delta amino levulinic synthetase (DALS), cytochrome oxidase (E. C. 1.9.3.1.), NADH cytochrome b5 reductase (NADH red.), NADPH cytochrome P450 reductase (NADPH red.), contents of cytochrome P450 (cyt. P450) and cytochrome b5 (cyt. b5), and levels of hemoglobin and hematocrit were studied in three groups of rats: a) malnourished, b) during recovery from malnutrition, and c) controls. During severe protein malnutrition blood levels of hemoglobin and hematocrit were found to be decreased as well as DALS's activity in homogenized bone marrow and liver. The activity of NADH red, and contents of cyt. P.450 and cyt. b5 in hepatic microsomes were also found significantly depressed. The microsomal activity of NADPH red. as well as mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase did not present significant changes, since values obtained in malnourished rats were similar to those found for the control group. While recovering from malnutrition, when rats were fed a casein based diet (10 NDpCalo/o) supplemented with Fe and Cu, the hepatic enzymatic activities, the cytochrome contents of P450 and b5, and hematocrit experienced a spectacular increase, reaching towards the end of the refeeding period values which could be compared to those found in the control group. Nevertheless, DALS' activity in homogenized bone marrow and hemoglobin levels remained low. Results are discussed in relation to depressed activities and contents of enzymes, coenzymes, metabolites and subtrates involved in the hemoglobin synthesis in the rat bone marrow, during recovery from malnutrition.