Article contents
Effect of a Valine Load Test on Plasma Alpha-Keto Acids in Friedreich Ataxia
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 18 September 2015
Summary:
To test the physiological significance in vivo of our previous in vitro finding of reduced valine dehydrogenase (VDH) activity inpatients with Friedreich’s Ataxia, we subjected ataxic patients and controls to an oral valine load test (1.0g) and measured the levels of branched chain α-keto acids in the plasma for 24 hours. We demonstrated a significantly higher peak for α-keto isovaleric acid in Friedreich’s Ataxia and a general trend towards higher than control values in all other α-keto acids measured, and at all times in the experiment. These changes are compatible with the postulated defect in regulation of the activity of VDH in this illness, but because of their small amplitude, they also indicate that a VDH – deficiency is not the genetic defect in Friedreich’s A taxia.
- Type
- Research Article
- Information
- Copyright
- Copyright © Canadian Neurological Sciences Federation 1982
References
REFERENCES
- 1
- Cited by