Kinetic aspects of body methionine (MET) metabolism were examined in healthy young men during the fed and postabsorptive (PA) states. Rates of MET incorporation (S) into and release (B) from body proteins; transmethylation (TM); and remethylation (RM) and transsulfuration (TS) of homocysteine (HCY) were estimated with the aid of a 5-h constant intravenous infusion of [methyl-2H3]- and [1-13C]methionine. The isotopic data (plasma methionine labeling and 13C enrichment of expired air) were submitted to a stochastic model of amino acid metabolism. During the fed state, the subjects (n = 4) received, at 20-min intervals, small isonitrogenous isocaloric meals containing a complete L-amino acid mixture supplying MET at a rate equivalent to 198 mumol.kg body wt-1.day-1. The PA subjects (n = 4) received the isotope after a 10-h overnight fast. For the PA group, the components of MET metabolism were as follows: S, 20 +/- 0.5; B, 24 +/- 0.5; TM, 5.8 +/- 0.6; RM, 1.8 +/- 0.4; and TS, 4.0 +/- 0.4 (+/-SE) mumol.kg-1.h-1. During the fed state the values were S, 26 +/- 2.5; B, 18 +/- 2; TM, 14 +/- 1.3; RM, 5.7 +/- 0.9; and TS 8.3 +/- 0.6 mumol.kg-1.h-1. The meal-induced changes in B, TM, RM, and TS were significant (P less than 0.05). Comparison of the partitioning of MET between S and TM (these two pathways of MET disposal constitute the "methionine locus") in the PA and in the fed states indicates that the MET locus is of regulatory importance in MET homeostasis. A twofold increase in the partitioning of MET to TM was observed in the fed state. The increase in HCY recycling, relative to TS (these two pathways of HCY disposal constitute the "HCY locus"), in the fed state did not reach statistical significance when compared with the PA state. Total daily TM are estimated to be 238 +/- 22 mumol/kg. This is similar to the estimate generated by the methyl balance model of Mudd and Poole (Metabolism 24: 721, 1975) which approximated 241 mumol/kg.

Methionine (Met) conservation in healthy young adult men (4/diet group) was explored by supplying one of the following three L-amino acid based diets: 1) adequate Met but no cystine; 2) neither Met nor cystine; or 3) no Met but cystine supplementation. After 5 days, subjects received a continuous intravenous infusion of L-[1-13C; methyl-2H3]Met for 5 h while the diet was given as small isocaloric isonitrogenous meals. Estimates were made of rates of Met incorporation into protein synthesis (S) and release from body proteins (B), transmethylation (TM), remethylation of homocysteine (RM), and transsulfuration (TS). For the adequate Met diet, the rates were S = 24 +/- 2, B = 18 +/- 1, TM = 12.4 +/- 1.7, RM = 4.7 +/- 1.1, and TS = 7.6 +/- 0.6 (SE) mumol.kg-1.h-1. The sulfur amino acid-devoid diet significantly (P less than 0.05) reduced S, TM, RM, and TS. Supplementation of this diet with cystine reduced Met oxidation (P = 0.05). Therefore, two loci are quantitatively important regulatory points in Met conservation in vivo: 1) the distribution of Met between the pathways of protein anabolism and TM (Met locus) and 2) the distribution of homocysteine between RM and TS (homocysteine locus).

The effects of a daily 3-g supplement of betaine on kinetic aspects of L-[2H3-methyl-1-13C]methionine (MET) metabolism in healthy young adult men were explored. Four groups of four subjects each were given a control diet, based on an L-amino acid mixture supplying 29.5 and 21.9 mg.kg-1.d-1 of L-methionine and L-cystine for 4 d before the tracer study, conducted on day 5 during the fed state. Two groups received the control diet and two groups received the betaine supplement. Tracer was given intravenously (iv) or orally. The transmethylation rate of MET (TM), homocysteine remethylation (RM), and oxidation of methionine were estimated from plasma methionine labeling and 13C enrichment of expired air. RM tended to increase (P = 0.14) but the TM and methionine oxidation were significantly (P less than 0.05) higher after betaine supplementation when estimated with the oral tracer. No differences were detected with the intravenous tracer. Methionine concentration in plasma obtained from blood taken from subjects in the fed state was higher (P less than 0.01) with betaine supplementation. These results suggest that excess methyl-group intake may increase the dietary requirement for methionine.

On average, space missions are associated with cumulative loss of bodyweight over time. Unless effective countermeasures are implemented, significant weight loss will be a likely outcome in a subset of astronauts as mission durations increase. New predictors of intra-mission bodyweight changes and other associated factors are identified.