Protein-Energy Requirements of Developing Countries: Evaluation of New Data (UNU, 1981, 268 p.): Obligatory nitrogen losses-adults: Obligatory nitrogen losses of adult Thai males: Summary of main result

Protein-Energy Requirements of Developing Countries: Evaluation of New Data (UNU, 1981, 268 p.)

Obligatory nitrogen losses-adults

Obligatory nitrogen losses of adult Thai males

		(introduction...)
		Objective
		Experimental details
		Summary of main result
		Conclusions and comments

Summary of main result

1. Daily Obligatory Nitrogen Losses in Four Adult Thai Males
Table 2 shows the data for obligatory nitrogen losses of the subjects. The means of urinary and faecal nitrogen losses were similar to most studies done in other countries. Total obligatory nitrogen losses were calculated after allowing 5 mg N/kg/day for skin and other minor losses.

2. Plasma Amino Acids
Table 3 shows that the concentration of valine decreased, while concentrations of alanine and glycine increased on days 7 and 14. The ratios of non-essential/essential amino acids (NEA/EA ratio) and of glycine/valine increased.

3. Other Measurements
Table 3 also shows that BMR and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were lower and ALT was higher by day 7. By day 14, all indicators shown in the table differed from initial values.

TABLE 3. Blood Chemistry and Basal Metabolic Rates of Four Adult Thai Males Eating a Protein-Free Diet for 14 Days

		Protein-free diet
Measurement	Initial value	day 7	day 14
BMR (kcal/m˛/day)	1,134 ą 94	927 ą 261*	906 ą 129*
Total protein (g/dl)	7.5 ą 0.5	6.9 ą 0.9	6.9 ą 0.3*
Albumin (g/dl)	5.3 ą 0.1	5.2ą 0.3	4.8 ą 0.3*
BUN (mg/dl)	10.3 ą 3.1	3.3 ą 1.0*	2.7 ą 0.7*
AST (sigma unit)	21.0 ą 3.4	24.0 ą 4.6	24.5 ą 3.8*
ALT (sigma unit)	17.6 ą 0.9	23.3 ą 3.0*	24.0 ą 0.9*
Valine (um/L)	258.5 ą 7.7	175.1 ą 30.8*	165.9 ą 18.6*
Alanine (um/L)	219.8 ą 61.4	696.9 ą 225.4*	846.0 ą 153.8*
Glycine (um/L)	299.7 ą 39.7	468.3 ą 15.0*	486.9 ą 31.8*
NEA/EA ratio	2.2 ą 0.1	3.4 ą 0.5*	3.3 ą 0.5*
Gly/Val ratio	1.2 ą 0.1	2.7 ą 0.4*	3.0 ą 0.5*

* Differs from initial value p < 0.05.