Influence of protein calorie malnutrition and fasting on the activities of delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase and porphobilinogen deaminase in rats.

Rats were fed a restricted standard diet (6-8 g daily) for 4 weeks. The erythrocyte activity of delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase showed a very expressed decrease (7.9 times) and its hepatic activity diminished more than twice. Porphobilinogen deaminase activity was reduced by 40% and 17% respectively. After a 3-day total food deprivation delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase activity remained unchanged in red blood cells, but an increase by 52% was found in the liver. The erythrocyte activity of porphobilinogen deaminase was reduced by 42% and its hepatic activity--by 16%.