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 Kien, C. L. Articles by Holcenberg, J. S. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Kien, C. L. Articles by Holcenberg, J. S.

Amino Acid Utilization and Urine Protein Excretion in Children Treated with Succinylated Acinetobacter Glutaminase-Asparaginase¹

Departments of Pediatrics [C. L. K., J. S. H.], Biochemistry [C. L. K.], and Pharmacology [J. S. H.], The Medical College of Wisconsin, and The Midwest Children's Cancer Center, Milwaukee Children's Hospital, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53233

Amino acid utilization was evaluated in seven children with acute lymphocytic leukemia treated with succinylated Acinetobacter glutaminase-asparaginase. All patients received food p.o. ad libitum and glucose-electrolyte solutions i.v.; four patients received an i.v. amino acid supplement (1.5 g/kg/day). Although all patients were in negative energy balance, there was a significant linear regression between nitrogen balance and nitrogen intake during Days 1 to 7 and Days 8 to 14 of the study. The slope of the regression line, reflecting exogenous nitrogen utilization, was not significantly different from that found in healthy young men ingesting adequate or subadequate energy intakes. The Y-intercept (-210 mg/kg/day) indicated an obligatory nitrogen loss that was much greater than normal. Most of the nitrogen loss was due to urinary excretion. Ammonia and urea accounted for 77 to 91% of the urine nitrogen. Urinary glutamate accounted for 4 to 10% of this loss. Urine protein excretion was abnormally high in each of the patients, ranging from 987 to 3440 mg/day. Urine excretion of N-acetyl-ß-glucosaminidase and ß₂-microglobulin was also abnormally high, despite normal blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine, suggesting that these children had renal tubular dysfunction.

The antileukemic effect of succinylated Acinetobacter glutaminase-asparaginase did not appear to be altered by amino acid supplementation. These data indicate that amino acid supplementation can improve nutritional status in patients treated with succinylated Acinetobacter glutaminase-asparaginase.

¹ Supported in part by USPHS Grants CA 20061 and CA 17700; The Burroughs Wellcome Fund; The Milwaukee Children's Hospital Research and Publications Committee; the American Cancer Society, Milwaukee Division, Inc.; and the Midwest Athletes against Childhood Cancer Fund.

² To whom requests for reprints should be addressed, at the Department of Pediatrics, Milwaukee Children's Hospital, 1700 West Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, Wis. 53233.

Received 10/ 9/80. Accepted 2/19/81.