Protein consumption increases tyrosine concentration and in vivo tyrosine hydroxylation rate in the light-adapted rat retina.
The ingestion of a single, 40% protein meal increased serum and retinal tyrosine levels and stimulated retinal tyrosine hydroxylation rate in light-adapted rats. Consumption of a similar, protein-free meal elicited none of these effects. The results thus indicate for retinal dopamine neurons that physiologically induced increases in tyrosine level can readily stimulate in vivo tyrosine hydroxylation rate.
D000596:Amino Acids / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004295:Dihydroxyphenylalanine / Q000378:metabolism; D004298:Dopamine / Q000502:physiology; D006900:Hydroxylation; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012160:Retina / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D014443:Tyrosine / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*
D000596:Amino Acids; D004044:Dietary Proteins; D014443:Tyrosine; D004295:Dihydroxyphenylalanine; D004298:Dopamine