Kinetics of splanchnic 13C-cysteine metabolism in infant pigs

Abstract

Cysteine is a conditionally essential amino acid in neonates that can be synthesized from methionine by transsulfuration. We previously showed that methionine transsulfuration occurs in the GI tract of young pigs. Cysteine use by the gut epithelial cells may be important for maintenance of glutathione synthesis and cellular redox function. Our aim was to quantify the extent of gastrointestinal first‐pass cysteine metabolism in young pigs. Four‐week‐old, formula fed piglets (n=10) were given an intragastric (IG) and intravenous (IV) [1‐ 13 C]‐cysteine infusion (IR = 15 μmol·kg −1 ·h −1 ..