Blood keto acids in malnutrition

Blood pyruvate and O-ketoglutarate were measured in seven children while they were suffering from protein-calorie malnutrition and again after complete recovery. There was no change in pyruvate or O-ketoglutarate with clinical recovery. The data are interpreted to mean that there is no metabolic block in the oxidation of pyruvate via the Krebs cycle. Also, normal levels of O-ketoglutarate might indicate that there was no severe derangement of hepatic excretory function in the children studied. (Summary)