Alanine prevents the decrease of Na+,K+-ATPase activity in experimental phenylketonuria

Our objective was to investigate the effect of alanine administration on Na +,K+-ATPase activity in cerebral cortex of rats subjected to chemically-ind uced phenylketonuria. Wistar rats were treated from the 6th to the 28th day of life with subcutaneous injections of either 2.6 mu mol alanine or 5.2 m u mol phenylalanine plus 2.6 mu mol alpha-methylphenylalanine per g body we ight or phenylalanine plus alpha-methylphenylalanine plus alanine in the sa me doses or equivalent volumes of 0.15 M saline. The animals were killed on the 29th or 60th day of life. Synaptic plasma membrane from cerebral corte x was prepared for Na+,K+-ATPase activity determination. The results showed that alanine injection prevents the decrease of Na+,K+-ATPase activity in animals subjected to experimental phenylketonuria. Therefore, in case the s ame effects are achieved with ingested alanine, it is possible that alanine supplementation may be an important dietary adjuvant for phenylketonuric p atients.