Excretion of normal and modified RNA catabolites and creatinine in the urine as a function of nutrition in children
Schöch, G.; Heller-Schöch, G.; Müller, J.; Clemens, P.; Holtgrewe, A.; Heddrich, M.
Monatsschrift Kinderheilkunde Organ der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Kinderheilkunde 131(5): 259-263
1983
ISSN/ISBN: 0026-9298 PMID: 6192333 Document Number: 204292
The urinary excretion of 5 modified and 2 unmodified RNA catabolites and of creatinine has been investigated in two children aged 71/2 and 6 years under different isocaloric diets over 5 days each (phase I-III) and compared with the excretion values during a 12-day and libitum food intake (phase 0). On a diet (phase I) extremely rich in nucleic acids (meat) there is only a slight increase of the modified RNA catabolites and a pronounced increase of creatinine in urine. On a protein-rich diet free from nucleic acids (phase II) the urinary RNA catabolites largely parallel the values seen under ad libitum food intake. On a diet virtually free of nucleic acids and protein (phase III) there is a markedly decreased excretion of modified RNA catabolites. It is concluded that modified RNA catabolites in the urine are mainly of endogenous origin. These "one-way catabolites" permit an assessment of the RNA turnover. Thus, they can serve as a new sensitive biochemical criterion for anabolic and catabolic situations, respectively.