Performance of lambs under four levels of dietary supplementation and artificially mix-infected with Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus colubriformis / Efeito de quatro dietas na performance de cordeiros artificialmente infectados com Haemonchus contortus e Trichostrongylus colubriformis

Abstract The effect of four diets on the performance of Dorper lambs that were artificially mix-infected with 1000 infective larvae (L3) of Haemonchus contortus and 1000 L3 of Trichostrongylus colubriformis every three days for 12 weeks was evaluated. For each diet, one infected group (n = 7) and one control group (n = 4) were set up. The four diets contained the following proportions of hay (H) and concentrate (C): Diet 1 - 100%H; Diet 2 - 75%H:25%C; Diet 3 - 50%H:50%C; Diet 4 - 25%H:75. All the infected groups showed decreases in mean packed cell volume (PCV) and total plasma protein, especially the Diet 1-infected, which was also the group with the highest fecal egg count. The diets and infection had significant effects (P < 0.05) on daily body weight gain (DBWG), cold carcass weight and daily food consumption. The control and infected groups had mean DBWG (in kg), respectively, of 0.048 and 0.025 with Diet 1; 0.082 and 0.067 with Diet 2; 0.188 and 0.189 with Diet 3; and 0.303 and 0.221 with Diet 4. In conclusion, the infection affected the productive performance regardless of the diet; however, with increased metabolizable protein and energy, the risk of occurrence of anemia and hypoproteinemia diminished.

Resumo Avaliou-se o efeito de quatro dietas sobre o desempenho de cordeiros Dorper infectados artificialmente, a cada três dias, durante 12 semanas, com 1.000 larvas infectantes (L3) de Haemonchus contortus e 1.000 L3 de Trichostrongylus colubriformis. Um grupo infectado (n=7) e um controle (n=4) foram constituídos para cada uma das dietas, que continham a seguinte proporção de feno (F) e concentrado (C): Dieta 1 - 100%F; Dieta 2 - 75%F:25%C; Dieta 3 - 50%F:50%C; Dieta 4 - 25%F:75%C. Todos os grupos infectados apresentaram redução nas médias de hematócrito (VG) e proteína plasmática total (PPT), principalmente o grupo Dieta 1 infectado, que também apresentou maior contagem de ovos nas fezes. Houve efeito significativo da dieta e da infecção (P <0,05) no ganho em peso médio diário, peso da carcaça e consumo diário de alimento. Os grupos controle e infectado tiveram ganho em peso médio diário (em kg), respectivamente, de 0,048 e 0,025 na Dieta 1; 0,082 e 0,067 na Dieta 2; 0,188 e 0,189 na Dieta 3; e 0,303 e 0,221 na Dieta 4. Concluiu-se que a infecção afetou o desempenho produtivo independentemente da dieta, porém, com o aumento da proteína e da energia metabolizável, o risco de ocorrência de anemia e hipoproteinemia diminuiu.

Colon epithelial cells luminal environment and physiopathological consequences: impact of nutrition and exercise

The colonic epithelial cells represent a border between the colon luminal content, containing notably bacteria and a complex mixture of compounds, and the"milieu interieur"as defined by the French physiologist Claude Bernard.The physical-chemical composition of the luminal content, including luminal pH and bacterial metabolite, that obviousl y is not constant, is modified for instance according to the diet. Data obtained recently indicate that physical exercise may also modify the colonic luminal content. Evidence has indicated that modification of the luminal content characteristics has, indeed, consequences for the colonic epithelial cells, notably in terms of energy metabolism and DNA integrity. Although such alterations impact presumably the homeostatic process of the colonic epithelium renewal and the epithelial barrier function, their contribution to pathological processes like mucosal inflammation, pre-neoplasia, and neoplasia remains partly elusive. Open questions remain regarding the individual and collective roles of luminal changes, particularly in a long-term perspective. These questions are related particularly to the capacity of the bacterial metabolites to cross the mucus layer before entering the colonocytes, to the concentrations of metabolites in proximity of the colonic crypt stem cells, and to the capacity of colonocytes to detoxicate deleterious compounds, to take up and utilize beneficial compounds.

Dual Effects of High Protein Diet on Mouse Skin and Colonic Inflammation

Chronic inflammation is a major etiology of cancer. Accumulating epidemiological and experimental evidences suggest that intake of high protein diet (HPD) is associated with colitis-associated colon cancer, however, most of the studies were confined in colon. Systemic influence of HPD on inflammation indices in different tissues of an organism has never been studied. We therefore investigated the effect of HPD on mouse skin and colonic inflammation using the well characterized inflammation induction protocol in both tissues (12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate [TPA] for skin and dextran sodium sulfate [DSS] for colon). ICR mice were grouped to normal diet (ND, 20% casein) or HPD (50% casein) groups. In each diet group, mice were treated with either vehicle (acetone or H₂O), TPA, TPA and DSS, or DSS. Experimental diet was fed for total 4 weeks. After 1 week of diet feeding, 6.5 nmol of TPA was topically applied twice a week for 2 weeks on the shaved mouse dorsal skin. Drinking water containing 2% DSS was administered for 7 days at the final week of experiment. The results showed that TPA-induced skin hyperplasia, epidermal cell proliferation, and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression were reduced in HPD group compared to ND group. In contrast, HPD increased DSS-induced colon mucosal hyperplasia, colonocyte proliferation, COX-2 expression, and plasma nitric oxide compared to ND group. This suggests that HPD exerts differential effect on different tissue inflammation which implies efficacy of protein intervention to human also should be monitored more thoroughly.

Association between Dietary Protein Intake and Type 2 Diabetes Differs by Dietary Pattern in Middle-Aged and Elderly Population in the Community of Guangzhou, China / 中山大学学报(医学科学版)

[Objective] We assessed the associations between protein intake and T2D in different dietary patterns.[Methods] We conducted a population-based cross sectional study of 5 956 women and 2 298 men in middle-aged and elderly population in the community of Guangzhou city,Guangdong province.Cluster analysis was used to category subjects into mutually exclusive group by major sources of protein.Logistics regression analysis and substitution models were used to estimate T2D risks according to protein intake.[Results] The mean age of subjects was 55.51 year.Subjects were divided into four dietary protein food patterns (coarse cereals,red meat,refined grain,and sea food).Overall,extreme quantile of total protein intake was significantly and positively associated with T2D [odds ratio 1.58 (95％ CI 1.25,2.02)].In subgroup analysis by dietary patterns,extreme quantile of total protein intake was also positively related to T2D in the "red meat" [3.00(1.36,7.01)] and "refined grain" [2.25 (1.40,3.61)] dietary pattern group.However,this association was revered in the "coarse cereals" group [0.48 (0.23,0.97)];and protein intake was not related to T2D in the "seafood" group.[Conclusions] The association between protein intake and T2D varies by dietary pattern.Dietary pattern should be considered into the recommendation of protein intake for diabetes prevention.

Food protein-induced proctocolitis: Is this allergic disorder a reality or a phantom in neonates? / 소아과

The etiology of small and fresh rectal bleeding in neonates who are not sick is usually unknown; the only known cause is food protein-induced proctocolitis (FPIPC). It has been recently reported that FPIPC is a rare cause of rectal bleeding in newborns, and most cases have been proved to be due to idiopathic neonatal transient colitis. A recommended strategy for diagnosing suspected FPIPC in neonates is as follows. During the early stage, the etiology of small and fresh rectal bleeding in an otherwise healthy newborn need not be studied through extensive investigations. In patients showing continued bleeding even after 4 days, sigmoidoscopy and rectal mucosal biopsy may be performed. Even if mucosal histological findings indicate a diagnosis of FPIPC, further oral food elimination and challenge tests must be performed sequentially to confirm FPIPC. Food elimination and challenge tests should be included in the diagnostic criteria of FPIPC.

Whey protein improves HDL/non-HDL ratio and body weight gain in rats subjected to the resistance exercise

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of resistance exercise, such as weight-lifting (WL) on the biochemical parameters of lipid metabolism and cardiovascular disease risk in the rats fed casein (control) or whey protein (WP) diets. Thirty-two male Fisher rats were randomly assigned to sedentary or exercise-trained groups and were fed control or WP diets. The WL program consisted of inducing the animals to perform the sets of jumps with weights attached to the chest. After seven weeks, arteriovenous blood samples were collected for analysis. The WL or WP ingestion were able to improve the lipid profile, reducing the TC and non-HDL cholesterol concentrations, but only WP treatment significantly increased the serum HDL concentrations, thereby also affecting the TC/HDL and HDL/non-HDL ratios. However, WL plus WP was more effective in improving the HDL/non-HDL ratio than the exercise or WP ingestion alone and the body weight gain than exercise without WP ingestion.

Efecto del nivel proteico de la dieta sobre el desarrollo de juveniles de Macrobrachium tenellum (Smith, 1871) / Effect of dietary protein level on the development of juveniles of Macrobrachium tenellum (Smith, 1871)

Objetivo.Evaluar el efecto de cinco niveles de proteína cruda (PC) en alimentos balanceados sobre el crecimiento, sobrevivencia y tasa de conversión alimenticia (FCA) en juveniles de Macrobrachium tenellum. Materiales y métodos. Se alimentó por 60 días a juveniles de M. tenellum (0.31±0.01 g y 32.62±1.10 mm) con niveles de 20, 25, 30, 35 y 40% de PC en el alimento. Los organismos fueron distribuidos al azar en 15 tinas experimentales de 64 L (15 org./tina) bajo condiciones controladas (5.95±0.41 ppm de oxígeno, 29.89±0.72°C, y pH 8.44±0.15) y alimentados con el 10% de su peso vivo. Resultados. El porcentaje de sobrevivencia fue del 98.22±3.96% sin diferencias significativas entre los tratamientos (p>0.05). Los organismos alimentados con un 40% de PC tuvieron un peso significativamente mayor (p<0.05) respecto a los demás tratamientos (cambio de peso de 0.54±0.02g; incremento de peso de 173.60±12.99%; y tasa de crecimiento específico de 1.68±0.08). El FCA fue significativamente mejor (p<0.05) en los organismos alimentados con 35 y 40% de PC (2.85±0.18 y 2.40±0.05, respectivamente) que los demás tratamientos. Conclusiones. Los organismos juveniles de M. tenellum alimentados con niveles altos de proteína (40%), se desarrollaron más rápido que organismos que recibieron una menor concentración de proteína bajo las condiciones experimentales establecidas en este estudio.

Objective. To evaluate the effect of five levels of crude protein (CP) in balanced feed on the survival, growth and feed conversion ratio (FCA) in juveniles of Macrobrachium tenellum. Materials and methods. Juveniles of M. tenellum (0.31±0.01g and 32.62±1.10mm) were fed for 60 days with 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40% of CP in feed. The organisms were randomly distributed in 15 experimental tanks (15 org /tank) under controlled conditions (5.95±0.41 ppm of oxygen, 29.89 ± 0.72 °C, and pH 8.44±0.15) and fed with 10% of its live weight. Results. The survival percentage was 98.22±3.96% with no statistical difference between treatments (p>0.05). The organisms fed with 40% CP in their diet had a significantly higher weight (p<0.05) compared to the other treatments (weight change of 0.54±0.02g; weight increase 173.60±12.99%, and specific growth rate of 1.68±0.08). The FCA was significantly better (p<0.05) in organisms fed with 35 and 40% CP (2.85±0.18 and 2.40±0.05, respectively) than other treatments. Conclusions. Juveniles of M. tenellum fed with high protein levels (40%) developed faster than organisms which received a lower concentration of the protein under the experimental conditions established for this study.

Clinical Features of Dietary Protein Induced Proctocolitis / 대한소아소화기영양학회지

PURPOSE: Dietary protein induced proctocolitis (DPIPC) can be considered as a cause of rectal bleeding or blood streaked stool in otherwise healthy-looking infants in the first several months of life. Failure to appreciate this entity may lead to inappropriate diagnostic or therapeutic intervention. This study aimed to ascertain the clinical features, treatment and prognosis of DPIPC. METHODS: We reviewed 13 infants retrospectively, presented with bloody stool in early infancy. They were diagnosed as DPIPC clinically in Pusan National University Hospital from May 2002 to June 2004. RESULTS: Seven males and six females were included. The mean age at onset of bleeding was 96.8+/-58.8 days. The mean frequency of hematochezia was 2.6+/-2.5 times a day. Duration from onset of symptom to diagnosis was 35.5+/-55.0 days and duration from onset of symptom to resolution of bleeding was 58.7+/-67.0 days. Nine (69.2%) were exclusively breast-fed infants and two (15.4%) were formula-fed infants. All but one infant did not have family history of other allergic diseases. A dietary history of ingestion of cow's milk, nut or shellfish was present in three mothers. Peripheral eosinophil count was normal to slightly elevated (total WBC count 10,555+/-3,145/mm3, relative eosinophil count 6.3+/-3.0%, absolute eosinophil count 659.0+/-532.2/mm3). Sigmoidoscopy revealed lymphonodular hyperplasia with surrounding hemorrhagic spots in the rectosigmoid colon in 6 infants. Histopathologic finding of colonic biopsies in 5 infants showed chronic inflammation with lymphoid follicular hyperplasia (5 infants), crypt abscess (3 infants), or mild infiltration of eosinophils (less than 20/high power field) in the lamina propria. Spontaneous resolution of rectal bleeding occurred in all infants without dietary change or medicine. CONCLUSION: Most infants with DPIPC experience a very benign course and have spontaneous resolution of rectal bleeding without changes in the mother's diet. In the case of strong evidence for DPIPC we suggest deferring further invasive investigation and continuing breast feeding.

Clinical Features and the Natural History of Dietary Protein Induced Proctocolitis: a Study on the Elimination of Offending Foods from the Maternal Diet / 대한소아소화기영양학회지

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to identify the clinical features and natural history of dietary protein induced proctocolitis (DPIPC) and to detect the causative foods of DPIPC, and to evaluate the effect of elimination of the foods on the course of the disease. METHODS: Between March 2003 and July 2004, data from 30 consecutive patients with DPIPC who were followed for over 6 months, was reviewed. The diagnostic criterion used for DPIPC was an increase in the number of eosinophils in the lamina propria (> or =60 per 10 high-power fields). In breast feeding mothers, 5 highly allergenic foods were eliminated from the maternal diet for 7 days, namely, allergenic food groups such as dairy products, eggs, nuts and soybean, fish and shellfish, and wheat and buckwheat. We observed the disappearance or appearance of hematochezia after elimination or challenge with the offending foods. RESULTS: Before diagnosis infants were breast-fed (93.3%) or formula-fed (6.7%). Mean age at symptom onset was 11.5+/-5.1 (5~24) weeks, and mean age at diagnosis was 17.8+/-9.5 (8~56) weeks. Duration from symptom onset to diagnosis was 6.3+/-6.7 (0~36) weeks. Mean peripheral blood eosinophil count was 478+/-320 (40~1,790)/mm3 and eosinophilia (>250/mm3) was observedin 90.0% of patients. None of patients were found to have an increased serum IgE level. Of 15 patients that received sigmoidoscopy, nodular hyperplasia with erosion was observed in 93.3%. Of 27 patients whose mother ate the diet eliminated the 5 food groups, hematochezia diappeared in 74.1% of patients. Offending foods were identified as dairy products (37.5%), wheat and buckwheat (27.5%), fish and shellfish (20.0%), nuts and soybean (7.5%) and eggs (7.5%). A free maternal diet without patient's clinical symptoms was achieved at 29.4+/-8.7 (9~44) weeks of patient's age, and a free baby diet without blood in stools was achieved at 37.5+/-9.7 (12~56) weeks of age. CONCLUSION: DPIPC commonly occurs in exclusively breast-fed babies. Elimination of the above-mentioned 5 hyper-allergenic food groups from the maternal diet for 7days enables the detection of the offending foods. DPIPC is a transient disorder and 96.0% of patients can tolerate the offending foods at 12 months of age.

THE PRELIMINARY STUDY ON THE MECHANISM OF MALNUTRITION IN PERITONEAL DIALYSIS PATIENTS / 营养学报

Objective: To study the possible mechanism of malnutrition in peritoneal dialysis patients. Methods: Multicenter prospective cohort study was designed . Forty-four peritoneal dialysis patients who survived two years after a cross-sectional study were included in the present study. We divided our patients into two groups according to the dietary protein intake(DPI) during follow-up period, DPI lower than 0.78 g/( kg?d) or DPI higher than 0.78 g/( kg?d). Patients' nutritional status was evaluated during the cross-sectional study and at the end of follow-up. 22 patients were divided into two groups according to the nutritional status improved or worsened in subjective global assessment (SGA) during the follow-up period. Besides nutritional status, patient's residual renal function, volume status and the incidence of cardiovascular event during the follow-up period were also evaluated. Results: Based on SGA , the incidence of malnutrition in low-DPI group was 60.9% in the cross-sectioned study and 45.5% after the follow-up. In high-DPI group, it decreased from 57.1% to 28.6%. The residual renal function declined significantly in worse nutritional status group, the incidences of volume overload and cardiovascular events during follow-up study were significantly higher in worse nutritional status group than that in improved nutritional status group. Conclusion: Malnutrition in peritoneal dialysis patients may not be simply due to lower protein intake. The changes in residual renal function, fluid overload and cardiovascular disease, accompanied with low dietary protein intake may be the possible cause of malnutrition in peritoneal dialysis patients.

The Effect of Dietary Protein Source and Sulfur Amino acid Content on bone Metabolism in Growing Rats

This study was performed to evaluate the effect of dietary protein source and sulfur amino acid content on bone metabolism in rats. Thirty male rats (body weight 145 +/- 2 g) were divided into three groups. The rats in the first group were fed on casein 20% diet as animal protein source and those in the second group were fed on soy 20% diet as plant protein source. Sulfur amino acid ratio of these group was 1.07 : 1. The rats in the third group were fed on soy 20% diet and the sulfur amino acid were supplemented with the amount contained as much in the soy 20% diet. All rats were fed on experimental diet and deionized water ad libitum for 9 weeks, The total body, spine, femur bone mineral density and bone mineral content were measured using Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry. Calcium, phosphate, pyridinoline, creatinine in urine and calcium, phosphate, alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin in serum were measured. During the experimental period, plant protein (soy protein) group had a lower urinary Ca excretion, urine pyridinoline & crosslinks value and had a higher Ca efficiency in total bone and femur bone mineral density than animal protein (casein) group. There were no significant differences in serum calcium, phosphate, alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin among the three groups of the rats. The findings from this study demonstrated that plant protein (soy protein) is beneficial of bone mineral density because it had a higher Ca efficiency in total bone and femur bone mineral density than animal protein (casein). However, the supplementation of sulfur amino acid on soy results were consistent with prior studies that dietary sulfur amino acid load had a negative effect on calcium balance. The rats fed sulfur amino acid supplementation diet increased urinary calcium excretion and decreased calcium efficiency for total and femur mineral density. Therefore, dietary protein source and sulfur amino acid content influence bone metabolism.

Effects of Dietary Protein and Calcium Levels on Iron and Zine Balance in Young Korean Women / 대한지역사회영양학회지

No abstract available.

Dietary protein intake(DPI) and Nutritional Indices in Predialysis Patients with Different Stages of Chronic Renal Insufficiency / 대한신장학회잡지

Although dietary protein restriction may protect against progression of renal failure, it is important to consider whether protein restriction can be attained without inducing malnutrition. We assessed the calculated dietary protein intake(cDPI) by 24 hour urinary collection and food intake, biochemical nutritional indices and the results of anthropometric measurement in 83 predialysis patients with different stages of chronic renal failure(CRF) and 84 controls. Dietary interventions were minimal. We categorized patients into three groups according to whether their creatinine clearance(Ccr) was greater than 25(group A), 10 to 25(group B), or less than 10ml/min(group C). 1) The mean(+/-SD) cDPI was significantly lower in group C(0.77+/-0.17g/kg/day) and group B(0.84+/- 0.16g/kg/day) than in group A(1.04+/-0.21g/kg/day) and controls(1.14+/-0.22g/kg/day)(P<0.05). The mean (+/-SD) high biologic value protein intake was significantly lower in group C(0.29+/-0.25g/kg/day) and group B(0.39+/-0.27g/kg/day) than in group A (0.48+/-0.35g/kg/day)(P<0.05). The cDPI(r=0.50, P< 0.05), high biologic value protein intake(r=0.39, P< 0.05) were positively correlated with the Ccr. 2) The mean (SD) total lymphocyte count (TLC) was significantly lower in group C(1,554+/-368/mm3) and group B(1,972+/-470/mm3) than in group A(2,111+/-540/mm3) and controls(2,177+/-589/mm3)(P<0.05). The TLC was positively correlated with the Ccr(r= 0.28, P<0.05). The levels of albumin and transferrin were lower in patients with CRF than in controls (P<0.05). There was no difference in the levels of albumin, transferrin, prealbumin, insulin-like growth factor-1, cholesterol and anthropometric measurements among the different stages of CRF. CONCLUSION: In predialysis patients with CRF, the dietary protein and high biologic value protein intake spontaneously decreases as renal function declines. Several nutritional indices, such as TLC, albumin and transferrin were lower in predialysis patient with CRF than controls. Therefore objective measurement of DPI should be considered to educate a low protein diet in predialysis patients with CRF.

Some nutritional and metabolic aspects of calves maintained under two different dietary protein and experimentally infected with Haemonchus placei / Alguns aspectos nutricionais e metabólicos de bezerros mantidos com dois níveis diferentes de proteína na dieta e infectados experimentalmente com Haemonchus placei

The experiment was carried out to study the effects of the dietary protein and the infection with H. placei on nutritional parameters in six-months-old calves, based on their response to an infection of 100,000 infective larvae. Treatments consisted of two protein levels, 97.8 (G1) and 175.3 (G2) g of crude protein per kg of dry matter. After three monthsreceiving the diet, the animals were infected. Five days prior and 30 d after infection, animals were kept in metabolic cages to measure diet digestibility, water and N balance. Thirty-five days after infection, animals were slaughtered, abomasum removed and the worm burdens counted. There were no statistical differences in live weight changes, butanimals from G1 showed a tendency to decrease weight after infection. The protein level in diet showed an effect (p 0.01) on plasma, urea and protein. The infection affected (p 0.05) haematocrit, haemoglobin, albumin and total plasma protein. Crude protein digestibility was lower (p 0.05) in G1. Dry matter and crude protein digestibilities werenot affected by infection. Nitrogen balance was lower for G1 and urine nitrogen excretion was increased (p 0.01) by infection. There was no effect on water balance. It is suggested that some of the nutritive parameters studied were affected by protein level in diet, as well as by the infection with H. placei.

O presente experimento teve por objetivo o estudo dos parâmetros nutricionais em bezerros mantidos sob dietas com dois níveis protéicos e infectados com 100.000 larvas infectantes de H. placei. Os animais do grupo 1 (G1) receberam uma dieta com 97,8 g de proteína bruta (PB) por kg de matéria seca (MS) e os do grupo 2 (G2), 175,3 g PB kg 1 MS.A infecção foi realizada três meses após o início da dieta. Cinco dias antes e 30 dias após a infecção, os animais foram colocados em gaiolas metabólicas para estudos de digestibilidade e balanços hídrico e de nitrogênio. Trinta e cinco dias pós-infecção os bezerros foram abatidos e os vermes recuperados. A variação de peso nos dois grupos não foi estatisticamente diferente (p > 0,05) e houve uma tendência, nos animais do G1, a reduzir o ganho de peso após a infecção. O nível protéico da dieta teve efeito significativo (p 0,01) nos teores de uréia e proteína plasmática; por outro lado, a infecção afetou os teores de hematócrito, hemoglobina, albumina e proteína total (p 0,05). Adigestibilidade aparente da PB foi inferior (p 0,05) no G1 e a digestibilidade da MS e PB não foram afetadas pela infecção (p > 0,05). O balanço de nitrogênio foi inferior no G1 (p 0,01) e a infecção alterou a excreção de nitrogênio via urina (p 0,01). O balanço hídrico não mostrou significância (p > 0,05) para as fontes de variação

POSTBURN CHANGES OF NUTRITONAL STATUS AND CELLULAR IMMUNITY IN MICE FED WITH DIFFERENT PROTEIN LEVELS / 营养学报

Two dietary protein levels, the marginal level (8%) and the normal level (20%), were employed in the present experiment to test their effects on the nutritional status, cellular immunity and immunostimulating action of argin-ine in the mice inflicted with 13% BSA, full thickness burn. The postburn changes of nutritional status were influenced noticeably by the dietary protein level. When the traumatized mice were fed with the ration containing 8% protein, the number of peripheral blood ANAE+ lymphocytes fell significantly and the irnmunostimulatory action of arginine was also markedly depressed. The probable reasons were discussed.