DERANGED FOLIC-ACID METABOLISM IN DIABETES-INDUCED RATS

Metabolic changes in the folic acid and their conjugated polyglutamyl derivatives have been studied in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Conjugated folates which constituted about 70% in normal rat liver ge t rapidly hydrolysed to simple unconjugated forms as the diabetes prog ressed leaving behind only 2% after 25 days of the onset of diabetes. Chromatographic analysis shows significant alterations in the formyl- and methyltetrahydrofolate derivatives and their polyglutamylation pro files. A 7-8 fold higher urinary excretion of mainly methyltetrahydrof olate is also observed in diabetic rats.