Effect of dietary taurine on plasma and blood cell taurine concentrations in cats.
Taurine levels were measured in adult cats consuming casein-based diets supplemented with 0.2, 0.05, 0.02, 0.01 or 0% (wt/wt) taurine or with 0% taurine plus 5.0% L-cystine. Taurine concentrations in plasma, platelets, granulocytes and erythrocytes declined significantly with decreased dietary taurine. In the cats that did not receive the 5.0% cystine supplement, the relationship between dietary taurine intake and plasma and blood cell taurine level was nonlinear. The greatest increment in taurine concentrations occurred between the 0.02 and 0.05% taurine intakes. These findings suggest that the dietary taurine requirement for adult cats may be between 0.02 and 0.05%. Supplementation of the 0% taurine diet with 5.0% L-cystine raised taurine levels above those of the taurine-deficient diets in plasma and all blood cell types. The result of this study therefore suggest a close relationship between dietary taurine intake and blood cell taurine levels in cats. Five percent L-cystine stimulates taurine synthesis in these animals.
Laidlaw
S A
SA
Department of Medicine, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance 90509.
Sturman
J A
JA
Kopple
J D
JD
D000818:Animals; D001773:Blood Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000378:metabolism; D002415:Cats; D003553:Cystine / Q000494:pharmacology; D004032:Diet; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006098:Granulocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D013654:Taurine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*
D013654:Taurine; D003553:Cystine