THE METABOLISM OF AMINO ACIDS IN DIABETES MELLITUS

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
In severe, untreated diabetes mellitus, the amino acid content of the fasting plasma is abnormally high, and the urinary excretion of amino acid is increased. The conc. in the plasma cannot be correlated with urea retention or acidosis. Insulin treatment induces a rapid return to normal which roughly parallels the fall in blood sugar. On continued insulin therapy, the normal amino acid levels are maintained despite fluctuations in blood sugar. Since deamination proceeds at a normal or above-normal rate in these patients, the increase in amino acids in the plasma suggests an increase in the rate of their production or liberation.