This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by White, J. M. Articles by McHenry, E. W. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by White, J. M. Articles by McHenry, E. W.

An Effect of Neoplasms on Glutamic Acid Metabolism in the Host^*

( Department of Public Health Nutrition and of Anatomy, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada)

1. Two strains of rats in which tumors were produced by methylcholanthrene or by implantation have shown increased levels of free glutamic acid in the blood plasma.

2. Chick embryos with implanted tumors are susceptible to superimposed glutamate. These embryos exhibit an impairment in the production of uric acid from glutamic acid.

3. Rats with tumors do not produce urea from glutamic acid to the same extent as do comparable controls, and thus exhibit an impairment in the utilization of superimposed glutamate.

4. The glutaminase activity of chick embryos or of the livers and kidneys of rats is not altered by the presence of neoplasms.

5. There is a significant increase in aspartic-glutamic transaminase in the livers of tumor-bearing rats. The administration of aspartate to such animals causes a severe elevation in plasma free glutamic acid.

^* This study was made possible by a grant from the National Cancer Institute of Canada. The interest and cooperation of Prof. A. W. Ham of the Department of Anatomy, University of Toronto, are gratefully acknowledged.

Received 3/25/54.