“ESSENTIAL” AND “NONESSENTIAL” AMINO ACIDS IN THE URINE OF SEVERELY BURNED PATIENTS 1

Abstract

An abnormal amino-aciduria consisting of excretion of "essential" amino acids not normally present in urine as well as increased quantities of "nonessential" amino acids was found in the urines of severely burned or traumatized patients. The qualitative and quantitative aspects of this amino-aciduria may be proportional to the severity of the trauma. The amino acid excretion was influenced by but not completely dependent upon the total urinary N. Hyperactivity of the adrenal cortex as seen in Cushing''s disease resulted in a moderate degree of amino-aciduria. The latter effect was not reproduced by a daily maintenance dose of 30 mg. cortisone after bilateral subtotal adrenalectomy. This escape of amino acids is most likely due to a failure of tubular reabsorption. The reason for the latter is not clear but may be due to some adrenal steroid other than cortisone, to an abnormal amino acid pattern presented to the tubule, or to some other factor.