ALTERATIONS IN BLOOD BIOCHEMICAL TESTS IN PROGRESSIVE PROTEIN MALNUTRITION

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Abstract
The effects of progressive protein deprivation have been studied in the monkey to determine which laboratory tests are affected early and which laboratory tests reflect the severity of protein deprivation. BUN levels and serum amylase activity were significantly reduced after 2 weeks, and hematocrit values after 4 weeks of protein deprivation. They continued to be decreased in poorly nourished animals thereafter, but did not reflect progressive protein deprivation. Total serum protein, albumin, and transferrin were affected later in the course of protein deprivation and appeared to reflect the severity of deprivation. Five of seven measured essential amino acids showed statistically significant reductions in serum concentrations after 8 weeks of low protein diet but did not show further diminution after 14 weeks. The ratio of nonessential to essential serum amino acids was also increased after 8 weeks of protein deprivation but was not further decreased after 14 weeks. Serum alkaline phosphatase and cholesterol levels were variable throughout the 20 weeks of deprivation and did not appear to be good screening tests for protein malnutrition.

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