American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol 26, 387-392, Copyright © 1973 by The American Society for Clinical Nutrition, Inc.

Plasma and red blood cell amino acids of Egyptian children suffering from protein—calorie malnutrition

¹ From the Nutrition and Biochemistry Departments, United States Naval Medical Research Unit No. 3, % Spanish Embassy, Cairo, Egypt

Plasma and red blood cell amino acid levels and ratios were estimated by one-dimensional paper chromatography in Egyptian normal children, children with protein—calorie malnutrition, and children who had recovered from the clinical manifestations of this disease. The mean plasma G (glycine, glutamine, and serine), was normal on admission, whereas A (alanine) was slightly reduced. V (valine and methionine) and L (leucine and isoleucine) were markedly reduced, resulting in a significant increase in the G/VL and A/L ratios. Within 4 weeks of treatment A, V, and L levels and consequently G/VL and A/L ratios had returned to normal.

The mean values for all amino acids were elevated in the RBC's, the greatest increases being in V and L resulting in a reduction in the G/VL and A/L ratios. Mean values, except that for G, did not significantly decrease during the 4 weeks of treatment but were normal 6 to 16 months later.

As a result of the increase in RBC amino acids and decrease in plasma essential amino acids, the mean ratios of RBC to plasma amino acids were significantly higher in patients on admission than in controls. The V and L ratios showed the most marked increase with all patients having abnormal values on admission. Only these ratios were reduced with treatment, although they remained significantly higher than normal until several months after discharge when normal ratios for all amino acids were observed.

The usefulness of RBC amino acid levels and ratios of RBC to plasma essential amino acids as an accurate and sensitive index of the presence of, and complete recovery from, PCM is discussed.