Nitrogen balance studies in aging rats.

Nitrogen balance studies were conducted to compare the protein requirements of aged (24-month-old) and mature (12-month-old) rats for possible age-related differences. Four diets with protein supplied as amino acid mixtures simulating casein protein at 4.5%, 4.5% plus 1.5% indispensable amino acids of casein, 4.5% plus 1.5% dispensable amino acids of casein or 6.0% casein protein were offered for one week each during a four-week counter-balanced dietary sequence. Lower food and nitrogen intake of aged rats resulted in a lower mean nitrogen balance compared to that of the mature animals. Calculations of the level of N intake necessary to provide for N equilibrium in the aged rats indicated an apparent increase in the actual net need for nitrogen and indispensable amino acids when compared with the needs of the mature animals.