[Casein and gluten utilization by the body]

The time-course of changes in casein and gluten utilization was elucidated in rats in 2 experiments lasting 52 and 84 days by means of determining the protein effectiveness coefficient (PEC). The PEC was measured every other 4 days. Casein utilization decreased continuously and almost rectilinearly, whereas gluten utilization first rose (adaptation) and then descended (deadaptation). It is concluded that the time-course of changes in utilization of unbalanced wheat protein is linked not only with restitution of the enzymatic systems but also with mobilization and depletion of the reserve possibilities of the body.