Factors which affect the activity of glutaminase I in the guinea pig kidney.

Davies and Yudkin (1) have reported that the administration of dilute hydrochloric acid to rats for three months produced a a-fold increase in renal glutaminase activity, and Bettor et al. (2) found that administration of ammonium chloride to rats for four to six days caused a 4-fold rise in the activity of this enzyme. Enzyme activity was also increased a-fold in the guinea pig by the administration of ammonium chloride for three weeks (3). In the present study, renal and hepatic glutaminase I activity have been measured in guinea pigs treated with the urinary acidifying agents ammonium chloride and sulfur. nn-Ethionine has been used in an attempt to inhibit the increase in renal enzyme activity. The effects of adrenal steroid administration and variation of dietary protein intake have also been examined.