Free and bound amino acids in human urine from normal subjects and patients with tropical sprue

Abstract

A comparative study has been made of the urinary excretion of amino acids in free and bound forms in normal South Indian subjects and subjects with sprue. Chromatographic examination showed a quantitative decrease of urinary amino acids in the sprue group, but no qualitative differences between the two groups. A wide range of ninhydrin-positive compounds was noticed in both groups. A number of these compounds remain unidentified. Free α-amino acid excretion was markedly reduced in male sprue patients as compared with normal controls. No such decrease was found in the female subjects. The excretion of bound hydroxyproline was increased in both male and female patients with sprue. A significant lowering in the mean creatinine excretion was noticed in the male sprue patients.