Evaluation of essential amino acids and keto acids in uremic patients on low-protein diet.

The effectiveness of a mixture of five analogues of essential amino acids and the remaining four essential amino acids as compared to a preceeding treatment period of the nine essential amino acids was evaluated in 16 chronic uremic patients fed a low-protein diet. During amino acid analogues supplementation, there was a tendency for blood urea nitrogen to fall whereas creatinine did not change. Serum phosphate decreased in most patients, whereas serum calcium rose in some subjects. Protein metabolism, as judged by serum transferrin, Clq, C3c, total complement activity, was improved. Furthermore, the concentrations of prealbumin and retinol-binding protein, which are elevated in uremia, showed a further increase that might favor a vitamin A intoxication.