title: The metabolic effects of enterally administered ribonucleic acids.
abstract: Roles for dietary sources of preformed purines and pyrimidines such as RNA in various systems have been demonstrated in recent years. These include maintenance of a competent immune system, gut development, hepatic function and many others, with a central theme of rapidly dividing cells requiring these compounds for optimal function. These compounds were previously thought to be non-essential but are now considered to be conditionally required when various stresses, including rapid growth and infection, are present. A number of recent studies are summarized that cover a variety of areas and are consistent with critical roles for dietary sources of nucleotides for many cellular functions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Rice University, Houston, TX 77251-1892, USA. fbr@rice.edu
authors.forename: F B
authors.initials: FB
authors.lastname: Rudolph
authors.forename: C T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Van Buren
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004750:Enteral Nutrition; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008875:Middle Aged; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D012313:RNA / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D012313:RNA