Intestinal absorption of free and protein-bound dietary methionine in the rat

Intestinal absorption of radioactive free and protein-bound dietary methionine (Met) and changes in plasma amino acids were observed after feeding Met-supplemented test meals. Plasma and gastrointestinal contents were collected from 15 minutes to 16 hours after feeding. Plasma amino acids were determined after ad libitum ingestion of diets containing free Met. Protein-bound Met in fresh egg white and free Met left the stomach at the same rate, but protein-bound Met in dried egg white and free Met were emptied from the stomach at different rates. Free Met was absorbed from the intestine more rapidly than protein-bound Met. Concentrations and molar ratios of various free amino acids in plasma changed briefly in response to Met-supplemented single test meals. Long-term changes were observed when Met-supplemented diets were fed ad libitum. Prolonged ingestion of supplemented diets may cause sustained alterations in the plasma amino acid pattern.