• 1 January 1976
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 23  (3) , 562-567
Abstract
Impaired overall phagocytic function, as measured by clearance of radio-labeled polyvinyl pyrrolidone from the blood (KPVP), was demonstrated in mice whose dietary intake of the essential amino acids phenylalanine and tryptophan was reduced to less than a quarter of that in a standard diet which supported optimal growth. This was associated with loss in weight of body, liver, spleen and thymus and an increase in the phagocytic index, .alpha.PVP.