An NMR-based metabonomic investigation of the subacute effects of melamine in rats

The subacute toxic effects of 28 days of exposure to three dosages (250, 500, 1000 mg/kg/day) of melamine on Wistar rats were investigated using nuclear magnetic resonance spectra, histopathological examination, and biochemical analysis. Rats treated with melamine developed adverse health effects compared to the controls, including decrease in body weight and kidney damage. Blood biochemical analysis showed that the blood urea nitrogen and creatinine increased distinctly compared to the control group. Urinary metabonomic analysis indicated that melamine caused an increase in succinate and citrate. Serum metabonomic analysis showed that the lowest dose led to an increase in dimethylglycine, N-acetylglycoprotein (NAC), accompanied by a decrease in taurine and glucose. Rats treated with the highest dose developed high levels of serum choline and 3-hydroxybutyrate (3-HB) together with low lactate levels. Metabonomic analysis of liver tissue indicated that melamine caused an increase in NAC, choline, and creatine, accompanied by a decrease in lactate, trimethylamine-N-oxide, glutamate, and glucose. All three dosages resulted in an increase in glutamate, lactate, choline, glucose, and animo acids and a decrease in 3-HB and pyruvate in aqueous kidney extract. These results indicate that melamine not only caused renal disfunction but also disturbed the liver's glucose, protein, and nitrogen metabolism.