Effect of Insulin Hypoglycemia and Glucose on Various Amino Acids in Blood of Mental Patients

Abstract

Summary

1. The effect of insulin hypoglycemic coma and of the oral administration of glucose on the level of various amino acids in (the blood have been investigated in 15 mental patients.

2. The level in the blood of all the amino acids, thus far investigated, decreases to a variable extent during insulin hypoglycemia and also after glucose administration.

3. Insulin hypoglycemia produced a more marked effect on the level of blood amino acids than did the administration of glucose. Valine appeared to be an exception in some patients.

4. Leucine and lysine showed the most marked: changes of the amino acids thus far investigated.

5. The total amino acids does not reflect the extent of the changes in the blood of the level of the individual amino acids.

6. The possible mechanisms which may account for the changes are discussed.