CHANGES OF FREE AMINO ACIDS IN PLASMA AND BRAIN OF RATS DURING SIMULATED SEA SICKNESS AND POST-ADAPTATION / 营养学报

ABSTRACT

Objective: To observe the changes of free amino acids (FAAs) in plasma and brain of rats during simulated sea sickness and post–adaptation. Method: Pica or kaolin consumption was used as an indicator to judge the development of sea sickness and adaptation when SD rats were stimulated by Crampton sea sickness simulator. FAAs concentrations in plasma and brain of rats were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) after simulated sea sickness and post-adaptation. Results: After simulated sea sickness stimulation for 1 d, the levels of Cys and Ile were increased, and Gly and Pro decreased significantly in plasma. The increase of BCAA/AAA ratio was also found. In brain, the contents of Ala, Cys+Met, Tyr, His, and total amino acids were remarkably decreased. After simulated sea sickness stimulation for 21 d, no changes of FAAs were observed in plasma and brain but the ratio of Glu/ GABA was increased in brain. There were no differences of FAAs, Glu/GABA ratio and BCAA/AAA ratio in plasma and brain of tolerant and susceptible sea sickness rats. Conclusion: The levels of amino acids, especially those related to neurotransmitter synthesis, in plasma and brain were changed significantly during sea sickness.