366 G. ROUSER, B. JELINEK, A. J. SAMUELS, K. KINUGASA 
procedure used in glutamine ingestion studies (part VI of this series) was followed 
except that glutamine was not given. 
Figs. 40-45 show the plasma samples obtained at zero time, 30 min, I, 2, 3, and 4h. 
The changes in the blood plasma levels were of particular interest as they were 
most marked at 1 h. This appears to be associated largely with the ingestion of water. 
A drop in the taurine and glutamic acid levels is evident. Figs. 46-51 show the free 
amino acids of the erythrocytes at the same time intervals recorded for plasma, 
Some slight fluctuations of the free amino acids of the erythrocytes can be observed. 
although the response seen in the plasma is not evident. We have observed on many 
occasions that changes may take place in plasma free amino acid levels that are 
not reflected in the erythrocyte levels. Figs. 52-57 show the free amino acid le- 
vels of leukocytes from the same blood samples. A very distinct drop in both 
taurine and glutamic acid in leukocytes was evident in the 1-h sample. Small differ- 
ences in other amino acid levels can be seen as well. Leukocytes showed the changes 
seen in plasma. Other examples of the venipuncture response are presented in part 
VI of this series. 
The effects of food intake on blood free amino acids 
The effect of food upon the free amino acids of blood plasma and blood cells was of 
interest as some patients were known or suspected to have eaten prior to the with- 
drawal of a routine blood sample. Patient H. Gol., a man with chronic granulocytic 
leukemia who had received 40 mg of dimethylmyleran 4 months previously, was 
studied. The patient’s control plasma showed an increase of free amino acids above 
the level of normal individuals (also observed prior to any form of treatment) at the 
time the study was carried out. This relatively high level of blood amino acids 
appeared to be characteristic for this patient in the untreated state. The patient 
appeared at the out-patient clinic at g AM and control blood samples were drawn 
at 9.15 and 9.35 AM. The patient was then allowed to eat his usual meal consisting 
of 2 medium-sized scrambled eggs, 1 small fried ground beef patty, 2 pieces of toast 
without butter, a small portion of potatoes, and black coffee. Food was consumed 
between 10.05 and 10.20 AM. and another blood sample was taken at 10.30, followed 
by samples at 11.30, 12.30, 1.30 and 2.30. Figs. 58-63 illustrate the findings in blood 
plasma and Figs. 64-69 the findings with erythrocytes at the times stated except 
that the blood sample drawn at 1.30 is not shown. 
Except for a small drop of taurine in the second sample prior to eating (veni- 
puncture response), the plasma amino acid pattern remained very nearly the same 
throughout the study. No marked changes of free amino acids occurred as a result of 
the ingestion of food. The erythrocyte free amino acid levels did not change. Figs. 70-75 
illustrate the findings with the leukocyte samples at the same time intervals for plasma 
and erythrocytes. The chromatograms were very similar and it is evident that the 
consumption of food did not change the free amino acid pattern of leukocytes. 
The results of this study are in agreement with the observations made during the 
course of routine examinations of patients where an occasional known food intake 
could not be correlated with a change in the free amino acid levels of blood plasma 
or cells (when compared to samples taken on other occasions with the patient in the 
fasting state). 
References p. 447/448 
