[Imbalances of neutral plasma amino acids as a pathogenetic factor in anorexia].

Abstract

Studies in anorectic tumor-bearing rats indicate that anorexia is correlated to imbalances of neutral amino acids in blood and CNS. Consequently plasma amino acids of patients with neoplastic and non-neoplastic internal diseases were studied during phases of anorexia; special regard was given to the precursors of dopamine and serotonin. Anorectic patients were compared to non-anorectic patients with neoplasia. During anorexia, plasma levels of valine and leucine and hence the ratio of the molar concentrations of Val + Leu + Ile/Phe + Tyr were significantly decreased in each anorectic patient as compared to non-anorectic patients whose ratios were always within the normal ranges. As aromatic and branched-chain amino acids compete for penetration of the blood brain barrier, the decrease of the amino acid ratio may induce a raised flux of phenylalanine and tyrosine into the CNS which results in an increased activation of dopaminergic neurons--known to cause anorexia.

• Authors: G Ollenschläger, R Lang, W Fekl, J Schindler
• Journal: Klinische Wochenschrift (Klin Wochenschr) Vol. 62 Issue 23 Pg. 1102-7 (Dec 03 1984) ISSN: 0023-2173 [Print] Germany
• Vernacular Title: Imbalanzen neutraler Plasma-Aminosäuren als pathogenetischer Faktor der Anorexie.
• PMID: 6596460 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Amino Acids, Branched-Chain
• Receptors, Dopamine
• Tryptophan
• Leucine
• Valine

Topics

• Amino Acids, Branched-Chain (blood)
• Anorexia (blood)
• Feeding and Eating Disorders (blood)
• Humans
• Leucine (blood)
• Leukemia, Myeloid (blood)
• Receptors, Dopamine (metabolism)
• Tryptophan (blood)
• Valine (blood)