American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol 21, 1302-1305, Copyright © 1968 by The American Society for Clinical Nutrition, Inc.

Amino Acid Transport in Experimental Protein-Calorie Malnutrition

¹ Research Bursar, Clinical Nutrition Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Toown, Cape Town, South Africa
² Senior Lecturer and Senior Physician, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town and Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town
³ Professor and Head of the Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town and Chief Physician, Groote Schuur Hospital and Associated Teaching Hospitals

Amino acid uptake and transport in the small intestine were measured in rats fed three dietary regimes: a 20% protein, a 5% protein, and a protein-free diet. No significant differences of intestinal amino acid uptake or transport were found between rats on the 20% and 5% protein diets. Uptake of amino acids into gut segments was greatly increased in rats on the protein-free diet. However, no differences in transport in gut sacs were demonstrated in the latter group, as compared with rats on a 20% protein diet. The relation of these findings to known morphological and biochemical lesions found in PCM in children and to the etiology and therapy of the syndrome is discussed.