EFFECT OF IMPAIRED HEPATIC CIRCULATION ON PLASMA FREE AMINO ACIDS OF DOGS

Abstract

Data were compiled on fasting levels of 16 free amino acids in the plasma of normal dogs. Five of 6 amino acids studied at intervals in the same animals were shown to be relatively constant. Dogs with simple portal obstructions, fed a diet of raw horsemeat, showed variable alterations in amino acid levels. One of 6 dogs in this series became intoxicated but recovered. Normal dogs on the same diet showed decreases in several amino acids. The formation of an Eck fistula did not result in elevated plasma free amino acids. Eleven of 13 dogs with Eck fistulas showed signs of meat intoxication on a diet of raw horsemeat. During intoxication they exhibited increased plasma free histidine, tyrosine, methionine, leucine, glycine, arginine, cystine, phenylalanine, serine and proline. The 2 dogs which did not become intoxicated showed an elevated plasma histidine and a decreased threonine. Other amino acids were relatively constant, even after 20 days on the diet. Both normal and Eck fistula animals showed a definite rise in the plasma free amino acids after a meal of raw horsemeat. The rise in levels of 6 amino acids was greater in Eck fistula dogs than in the normal control.