Protein starvation impairs the ability of activated lymphocytes to produce interferon-gamma.

The impairment of lymphocyte function in nutritionally deprived rats was studied. Lymphocytes from rats fed a diet lacking protein showed a severe decrease in their ability to proliferate when stimulated with mitogens. This was accompanied by a dramatic inhibition of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) production and a lesser decrease in the release of interleukin-2 (IL-2). Analysis of RNA levels by Northern blot hybridization confirmed that lymphocytes from protein-starved rats had lower levels of mRNAs for IFN-gamma, IL-2, and IL-2 receptor than those from control animals. Protein deprivation therefore leads to a modification of lymphocyte function such that IFN-gamma production in particular is severely impaired.

Intersexual differences in the serum-free amino acid pattern of young adults, normal obese aged subjects.

In a group of ethnically homogeneous subjects, intersexual differences and the effect of ageing on the pattern of serum free amino acid were studied. The amount of the amino acids: valine, isoleucine, leucine, tyrosine, phenylalanine, glutamic acid and ornithine was significantly greater in young males than in young females. Such intersexual differences were not observed in aged subjects. When comparing a group of aged obese females with a control group, no difference in the pattern of serum free amino acid was observed.

[Progresses in the preparation of protein hydrolysates for the treatment of diseases related to aminoacid metabolism disorders (author's transl)]. / Progressi nella preparazione di idrolisati proteici per il trattamento delle oligofrenie dismetaboliche

A method is described for the preparation of a protein hydrolysate to be used in diets for the treatment of the diseases primarily related to disorder of amino acid Metabolism. The method is based on the use of ion-exchange resins to avoid the use of mineral acids so that the time of hydrolysis is reduced to 7 hrs and aminoacids destroyed in the usual industrial preparations are protected. Yields of 70% are obtained with an hydrolysis ratio of 90%. These results allow the preparation of hydrolysates with a high chemical score in which the aminoacid responsible for the diseases primarily related to disorder of amino acid Metabolism symtoms have been removed.

[Serum free aminoacid levels in a group of hyperuricemic subjects from the Aosta Valley (author's transl)]. / Il quadro degli aminoacidi liberi del siero in un gruppo di soggetti iperuricemici anziani della Valle d'Aosta

The behavior of serum free aminoacids has been analyzed in a group of 31 hyperuricemic subjects and in a control group of 26 normal subjects. In the hyperuricemic males it has been observed a remarkable decrease of glycine and arginine values, while in the hyperuricemic females it has been noted a decrease in serum glycine and serine. The results are discussed.