Free amino acid patterns of plasma, erythrocytes and leucocytes in hypoproteinaemia.

I . In pregnancy, severe hypoproteinaemia, cirrhosis and anaemia, plasma free a-amino nitrogen (FaAN) was found to be low-ered. The non-essential: essential amino acid ratios, determined by paper chromatography, were increased in hypoproteinaemia and anaemia. 2. The erythrocytic FaAN content increased in early hypoproteinaemia and values lower than normal were found in severe hypoproteinaemia. There was also a risc in anaemia, which was due to increased cellular non-essential amino acids. 3. Thc leucocytic FaAN was reduced in all hypoproteinaemic states. The incrcased FaAN values in patients with thyrotoxicosis demonstrated that, in catabolism, leucocytic uptake of amino acids is increased. The non-essential: essential amino acid ratios wcre decreased in cirrhosis, possibly due to poor biosynthesis of non-essential amino acids by the liver.