[Plasma and erythrocyte free amino acids in patients with progressive muscular dystrophy].

Under examination there were 29 patients (14 females and 15 males aged 20 to 40 years) with various forms of progressing myodystrophies (PMD). The control group consisted of 9 patients (2 females and 7 males) of the same age group. The content of free amino acids in the blood plasma and erythrocytes was determined by the method of column ion-exchange chromatography. The changes of the plasma and erythrocyte levels of most amino acids were found to be diverse in all forms of the PMD. Differences between primary PMD forms and denervation amyotrophies were revealed. The results of the studies show that content of free amino acids in the plasma and erythrocytes reflects both the general adaptation changes in the body in the conditions of the myodystrophic process, and the specificity of amino acid metabolism disturbances in various PMD forms.