Serum amino acids and genesis of protein energy malnutrition
Phadke, M.A.; Khedkar, V.A.; Pashankar, D.; Kate, S.L.; Mokashi, G.D.; Gambhir, P.S.; Bhate, S.M.
Indian Pediatrics 32(3): 301-306
1995
ISSN/ISBN: 0019-6061 PMID: 8613284 Document Number: 440205
24 children with classical marasmus or kwashiorkor and 12 healthy controls were studied. Their serum amino acid patterns analysis revealed a mean ratio of glutamate to alanine in fasting samples of normal individuals to be 0.33, while it was 9.3 in kwashiorkor and 1.6 in marasmus (significantly different). This observation may explain evolution of marasmus and kwashiorkor in children with similar diets. On the basis of the present observation it is postulated that in kwashiorkor, the conversion of pyruvate to alanine in the presence of glutamate, an amino group donor, does not proceed normally, resulting in accumulation of glutamate and low alanine. Thus the development of marasmus and kwashiorkor may not be related to dietary inadequacy alone but also to the transaminase function. This could be genetic in origin.