Gas-liquid chromatography of free amino acids in the cytosol of mammalian atrium and ventricle of the heart.

N-Trifluoroacetyl n-butyl ester derivatives of amino acids were studied. The investigations, carried out on random slaughter-house material, were based on the results of histological and biochemical differences between the atrium and ventricle of the mammalian heart muscle. The data indicate a high level of glutamic acid, and a predominance of tyrosine in the atrium and phenylalanine in the ventricle. The results provide evidence for metabolic differences between the atrium and the ventricle of the heart. This finding may have some significance in heart muscle defects.