Blood Ergothioneine and Dietary Oats

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Ergothioneine appears in the erythrocytes of the rabbit and the white rat following ingestion of oats. The blood level of the rat is related to the percentage of oats in the diet. The compound was not detected in the blood of rats fed purified (casein) diets or such diets supplemented with cabbage. Administration of vitamin B12 has no effect on blood ergothioneine levels in the white rat. Elevated blood levels of ergothioneine are not related to thyroid function as revealed by histologic examination and relative weight of rat thyroid tissue.