Increased plasma tyrosine concentrations in patients with cirrhosis and fulminant hepatic failure associated with increased plasma tyrosine flux and reduced hepatic oxidation capacity
O'Keefe, S.J.; Abraham, R.; El-Zayadi, A.; Marshall, W.; Davis, M.; Williams, R.
Gastroenterology 81(6): 1017-1024
1981
ISSN/ISBN: 0016-5085 PMID: 7286580 Document Number: 172393
Tyrosine and whole-body protein turnover rates were measured by the method of constant i.v. infusion of . Only patients with fulminant hepatic failure were shown to have significant rate reductions of incorporation of labeled amino acid into plasma albumin. Since the endogenous input of amino acids into plasma was 12 times greater in fulminant hepatic failure and 5 times greater in cirrhosis than the normal exogenous input from diet (i.e., 80 g/day), measures taken to suppress protein catabolism should be more effective in reducing the load of amino acids on the decompensated liver than the more conventional approach of restricting protein intake.