Mixed function oxidases in response to quality and quantity of dietary protein

Feeding of rice diet reduced the food consumption and growth of rats. Hepatic Cytochrome P-450, NADPH Cytochrome c reductase and the activity of cytochrome P-450 dependent enzymes (Aniline hydroxylase, aminopyrine N-demethylase, p-nitroanisole O-demethylase) were also decreased by feeding rice diet. Supplementation of lysine and threonine to rice diet improved the activity of these enzymes. NADPH regeneration and microsomal phosphatidylcholine were reduced by feeding rice diet. The phenobarbitone induced sleeping time was decreased by supplementing rice diet with lysine and threonine. The effect of protein is probably partly attributed to changes in membrane phosphatidylcholine content and NADPH regeneration rate.