THE NITROGEN METABOLISM IN ANEMIA DURING THE REGENERATION OF BLOOD

Abstract

The changes in the circulating cell and plasma N and the N metabolism were observed in 9 eases of anemia during regeneration of blood. The authors calculated that for a gain of each 10% in lib about 80 gms. of protein are required, and that therefore Hb regeneration represents a considerable demand on the body for N. Positive N balances were obtained only when the diet contained somewhat more than 6.2 gms. of N daily. In the face of a negative N balance Hb formation proceeded at a normal rate and the demand for N was supplied by tissue and plasma N. The blood plasma seemed to play a role in the storage and transportation of nitrogenous substances. In the treatment of anemia a diet adequate in protein is necessary in order to replace tissue N which may have become diminished before or during Hb regeneration.