SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “AMINO ACID MIXTURES”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 361 records · Page 20Linked to original sources

PubMed1975

Stimulated amino acid imbalance and histidine transport in rat brain slices.

Histidine concentration in the brain decreases rapidly when rats are fed a low protein diet in which an amino acid imbalance is created by addition of an amino acid mixture devoid of histidine. Competition for histidine transport into the brain was suggested as an explanation for this effect. Therefore, animo acid mixtures simulating composition of plasma from rats fed basal or histidine-imbalanced diets were added to media to evaluate their effects on uptake of histidine by brain slices during a 60-min incubation period. At the concentrations actually found in plasma, the unbalanced mixture decreased histidine uptake significantly more than did the basal mixture. Two distinct inhibition patterns were observed with different groups of amino acids: a linear decrease in histidine uptake with a mixture of the small neutral, hydroxyl, basic, and acidic amino acids, and a hyperbolic decrease with a mixture of large neutral amino acids, and a hyperbolic decrease with a mixture of large neutral amino acids. Inhibition of histidine transport by the complete mixtures reflected these two effects. Plasma patterns and concentrations of competitive amino acids as well as the concentration of histidine appear to be factors involved in decreasing histidine transport into the brain.

Alanine↗

PubMed2002

Hepatic cytochrome p450-2A and phosphoribosylpyrophosphate synthetase-associated protein mRNA are induced in gerbils after consumption of isoflavone-containing protein.

Soy intake reduces cholesterol levels, but neither the exact component in soy causing this reduction nor the mechanism by which cholesterol is reduced is known with certainty. In this study, a genetic screen was performed to identify hepatic mRNA in gerbils regulated by soy or soy isoflavones. Gerbils were fed casein, an alcohol-washed soy-based diet (containing low levels of isoflavones), and the soy-based diet supplemented with an isoflavone-containing soy extract. After feeding for 28 d, gerbils were killed, hepatic RNA was isolated, and genes that were differentially expressed in any of the three dietary conditions were identified. Fifteen different mRNA were originally selected, including two mRNA that were studied further and shown to be highly regulated. Messenger RNA levels for both cytochrome P450-2A and phosphoribosylpyrophosphate synthetase-associated protein were up-regulated in a dose-dependent manner when soy replaced casein in the diet at 0, 33, 67 and 100% of original casein levels. A subsequent experiment used purified amino acid mixtures resembling the percentage amino acid composition of soy and casein to ensure that isoflavone-free protein sources could be tested. Using these mixtures, a 2 x 2 x 2 design tested: natural vs. synthetic protein sources, casein- vs. soy-based diets, and isoflavone extract-supplemented or supplement-free diets. This design demonstrated that these two mRNA were again significantly up-regulated more than twofold (P < 0.05) in gerbils fed all diets containing isoflavones. Induction of these two mRNA by soy may be due to the aryl hydrocarbon receptor element in the promoter region of both genes.

Amino Acids↗

PubMed2001

Response to pentagastrin after acute phenylalanine and tyrosine depletion in healthy men: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of the acute depletion of the catecholamine precursors phenylalanine and tyrosine on mood and pentagastrin-induced anxiety. DESIGN: Randomized, double-blind controlled multiple crossover study. SETTING: University department of psychiatry. PARTICIPANTS: 6 healthy male volunteers. INTERVENTIONS: 3 treatments were compared: pretreatment with a nutritionally balanced amino acid mixture, followed 5 hours later by a bolus injection of normal saline placebo; pretreatment with a balanced amino acid mixture, followed by a bolus injection of pentagastrin (0.6 microgram/kg); and pretreatment with an amino acid mixture without the catecholamine precursors phenylalanine or tyrosine, followed by pentagastrin (0.6 microgram/kg). OUTCOME MEASURES: Scores on the panic symptom scale, a visual analogue scale for anxiety, the Borg scale of respiratory exertion and the Profile of Mood States Elation-Depression Scale. RESULTS: Pentagastrin produced the expected increases in anxiety symptoms, but there was no significant or discernible influence of acute phenylalanine and tyrosine depletion on anxiety or mood. CONCLUSIONS: These pilot data do not support further study using the same design in healthy men. Under these study conditions, phenylalanine and tyrosine depletion may have larger effects on dopamine than noradrenaline. Alternative protocols to assess the role of catecholamines in mood and anxiety are proposed.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

[Reverting effect of cysteine on the suppression by glucose or dexamethasone of anti-Candida activity of human neutrophils].

Amino acid mixture prescribed for an hyperalimentation solution (PN-twin) diminishes suppression of anti-Candida activity of neutrophils as reported previously (Tansho, T, et al. J. Jpn. Assoc. Infect. Dis. 70: 463-469). The aim of this study was to identify the active principle in the amino acid mixture and to examine its action mechanism. Amino acid mixture (PN-twin) containing 23 amino acids neutralized the suppression of anti-Candida activity of human neutrophils by 1.0% of glucose. These amino acids were divided to several groups by their structure and effects of the groups on the suppressed anti-Candida activity neutrophils were examined. In all groups tested, amino acids containing cystein and methionine clearly neutralized the suppression, especially cysteine at the concentration more than 20 micrograms/ml significantly recovered the anti-Candida activity of neutrophils which was suppressed in the presence of 1% glucose or 10(-6) M dexamethasone. Correspondingly, cysteine augmented production of lactoferrin by stimulated neutrophils; which functions as a major effector molecule in growth inhibition of Candida by neutrophils. These results suggest that cysteine in alimentation solution augments anti-Candida defense mechanisms through recovery of neutrophil function.

Amino Acids↗

PubMed1995

Purification of synthetic peptide libraries by affinity chromatography using the avidin-biotin system.

The specific interaction between biotin and avidin was exploited in the affinity purification of solid-phase synthesized peptide libraries. During peptide library synthesis, by means of the single-resin method in which coupling on variable positions is carried out using an equimolar mixture of amino acids, biotin was used to cap the unreacted amino groups remaining after coupling of the equimolar amino acid mixture. The following synthesis and deprotection procedures were performed as usual in tert,-butyloxycarbonyl chemistry. The purification of the peptide mixture containing N-biotinylated sequences was performed by affinity chromatography on an avidin-agarose column. The unwanted terminated sequences were retained in the avidin column while the purified peptide mixture was eluted as indicated by reverse-phase HPLC and MS analysis monitoring. The avidin column was regenerated and the biotinylated sequences were released under reversible denaturing conditions. The usefulness of biotinylation for peptide library purification is demonstrated here for the first time for a peptide mixture containing by-products that cannot be separated from the mixture by classical HPLC purification. This purification technique could be applied to all syntheses, presenting difficult reacting steps.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1997

In vivo responses of single olfactory receptor neurons of channel catfish to binary mixtures of amino acids.

For the first time in any vertebrate, in vivo responses of single olfactory receptor neurons to odorant mixtures were studied quantitatively. Extracellular electrophysiological response of 54 single olfactory receptor neurons from 23 channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, to binary mixtures of amino acids and to their components were recorded simultaneously with the electroolfactogram (EOG). For 57% (73 of 128) of the tests, no significant change (N) from spontaneous activity occurred. Responses to the remaining 55 tests of binary mixtures were excitatory (E; 13%) or suppressive (S; 30%). No response type was associated with any specific mixture across the neurons sampled. Eighty-six percent of the responses of catfish olfactory receptor neurons to binary mixtures were classified similar to at least one of the component responses, a percentage comparable (i.e., 89%) with that observed for single olfactory bulb neurons in the same species to equivalent binary mixtures. The responses of single olfactory receptor neurons to component-similar binary mixtures (i.e., component responses were both E, both S, and both N, respectively) were generally (80% of 59 tests) classified similar to the responses to the components. For E+N and S+N binary mixtures, the N component often (66% of 58 tests) reduced or concealed (i.e., "masked") the excitatory and suppressive responses, respectively. For the majority (6 of 11 tests) of E + S binary mixtures, null activity resulted. Responses to the remaining five tests were either excitatory (n = 3) or suppressive (n = 2).

Action Potentials↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Effects of amino acids in mixtures given by enteral or parenteral route on intestinal morphology and hydrolases in rats.

This study compares the effects of amino acid addition to an elemental liquid diet containing carbohydrates and triglycerides given either intragastrically or intravenously on the morphology and on hydrolase activities in the jejunum and ileum of adult rats. The isocaloric mixtures were administered for 4 days and control rats received an isocaloric laboratory diet orally. Independent of their content in amino acid, all mixtures given intravenously caused a drop in mucosal weight and a shortening of the height of the villi in both the jejunum and ileum. By enteral route, the addition of amino acids to a carbohydrate-triglyceride liquid diet led to the maintenance of normal villus height (this effect being prominent in the ileum) and to a significant increase of jejunal sucrase and aminopeptidase activities when compared with the carbohydrate-triglyceride mixture. Feeding the mixtures by parenteral route caused a significant drop of both enzyme activities. In contrast, lactase activity was generally not modified by the route of nutrient administration or by the composition of the diets. However, the absence of amino acid in the mixture given intravenously caused a specific drop of lactase activity in the ileum. Ileal sucrase activity was lowered dramatically by intragastric or intravenous feeding of the elemental diets. This effect was not modulated by the presence of amino acids. The presence of amino acids caused a significant drop of aminopeptidase activity in the ileum independently of the route of administration when compared with animals receiving the carbohydrate-triglyceride liquid diet.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amino Acids↗

PubMed2004

Nafion membrane electrophoresis with direct and simplified end-column pulse electrochemical detection of amino acids.

A novel electrophoresis technique, in which the separation column was replaced by a strip of Nafion membrane (5.0 cm x 0.20 mm x 0.25 mm), was developed for the separation of an amino acid mixture (glycine, asparic acid and lysine), followed by quadruple-pulse electrochemical detection. Nafion membrane contains hydrophilic pores (10-20 A and 50-60 A in size) acting as very narrow electrophoresis channels. The fixed-charge sites (-SO(3) (-)) on the hydrophilic pore surface provide a strong charged background. A platinum disk electrode (0.90 mm inner diameter) was employed as the detection electrode and the electrophoresis cathode was used as the quasi-reference and counter electrode for the end-column electrochemical detector, without decoupler. Under optimized conditions the mixture of amino acids could be separated at a voltage of only 90 V with a detection limit of 10(-7) M, indicating that Nafion membrane electrophoresis is a potentially attractive technique for the separation of small organic molecules or ions.

Amino Acids↗

PubMed2006

[Tyroservatide inhibits the growth of human hepatocarcinoma in nude mice].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the inhibitory effects of tyroservatide and its amino acid mixture on growth of hepatocarcinoma. METHODS: Hepatocarcinoma in nude mice was induced by implantation of cells of human hepatocarcinoma cell line BEL-7402. The inhibition of hepatocarcinoma growth was determined by calculating the tumor volume and measuring the tumor weight. The effects of tyroservatide on tumor cells in nude mice were assessed by immunohistochemical staining of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), electron microscopic observation of ultrastructure, and apoptosis of tumor cells using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase biotin-dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL). RESULTS: Tyroservatide significantly inhibited the growth of human hepatocarcinoma in nude mice, with an inhibiting rate more than 60%. But the mixture of amino acid did not show a significant inhibitory effect on the tumor growth. Tyroservatide also induced apoptosis of tumor cells and decreased the expression of PCNA in tumor cells. CONCLUSION: Tyroservatide may significantly inhibit the growth of human hepatocarcinoma in nude mice by inducing apoptosis and inhibiting proliferation of tumor cells.

Animals↗

PubMed1973

Respiration of Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus strain 109J and its energy substrates for intraperiplasmic growth.

Measurements of oxidation rates, respiratory quotients (RQ), and release of (14)CO(2) from uniformly labeled substrates showed that glutamate, alpha-ketoglutarate, and synthetic and natural amino acid mixtures are oxidized by suspensions of Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus strain 109J. The oxidation of these substrates largely suppress the endogenous respiration of the Bdellovibrio cells and may or may not cause a small increase, 20 to 50%, in their rate of oxygen consumption. The failure of respired substrates to increase markedly the respiration rate of the Bdellovibrio cells over the endogenous value is discussed. Carbon from these substrates is incorporated into the Bdellovibrio cells during oxidation. Acetate is also oxidized, but its oxidation inhibits endogenous respiration by only about 40% and no acetate is assimilated. The RQ of the Bdellovibrio cells changes from a value characteristic of endogenous respiration to that characteristic of the oxidation of glutamate or of a balanced amino mixture very shortly after the attack of the Bdellovibrio cells on their prey, and the latter RQ is maintained during intraperiplasmic growth. Glutamate, or a mixture of amino acids in the external environment, contributes to the carbon dioxide produced by the Bdellovibrio cells growing intraperiplasmically. It is concluded from these data that amino acids, derived from the breakdown of the protein of the prey, serve as a major energy source during intraperiplasmic growth of B. bacteriovorus 108J. Insofar as they were tested, B. bacteriovorus strains 109D and A. 3. 12 were similar in respiration to strain 109J.

Acetates↗

PubMed1978

Selective release of gastric inhibitory polypeptide by intraduodenal amino acid perfusion in man.

Intraduodenal amino acids are known to stimulate the release of gastric inhibitory polypeptide and cholecystokinin. In order to separate and quantitate gastric inhibitory polypeptide secretion selectively, 12 normal subjects received an intraduodenal perfusion of a mixed amino acid solution (158 mM) containing either methionine, phenylalanine, tryptophan, and valine (perfusate 1), or an amino acid solution containing arginine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, and threonine (perfusate 2). Serum concentrations of gastric inhibitory polypeptide and insulin were significantly greater in the group receiving perfusate 2 (P less than 0.001). In contrast, after administration of amino acid perfusate 1, there was only a slight increase in serum gastric inhibitory polypeptide concentration and insulin secretion increased only slightly. Mean trypsin and bilirubin outputs in the group receiving perfusate 1 were nearly 3 times greater than the outputs of the group receiving the other amino acid mixture. This study expands the importance of intraduodenal amino acid mixtures in stimulating secretion of gastric inhibitory polypeptide and insulin and quantitatively separates gastric inhibitory polypeptide release from release of hormones that stimulate pancreatic enzyme secretion, such as cholecystokinin.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Ornithine restores ureagenesis capacity and mitigates hyperammonemia in Otc(spf-ash) mice.

We showed that Otc(spf-ash) mice, a model of ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency, were able to sustain ureagenesis at the same rate as control mice, despite reduced enzyme activity, when a complete mixture of amino acids was provided. An unbalanced amino acid mixture, however, resulted in reduced ureagenesis and hyperammonemia. To study the effect of ornithine supplementation [316 micromol/(kg.h)] on urea and glutamine kinetics in conscious Otc(spf-ash) mice under a glycine-alanine load [6.06 mmol/(kg.h)], a multiple tracer infusion protocol ([(13)C(18)O]urea, [5-(15)N]glutamine, [2,3,3,4,4 D(5)]glutamine and [ring-D(5)] phenylalanine) was conducted. Ornithine supplementation increased ureagenesis [3.18 +/- 0.88 vs. 4.56 +/- 0.51 mmol/(kg.h), P < 0.001], reduced plasma ammonia concentration (1125 +/- 621 vs. 193 +/- 94 micromol/L, P < 0.001), and prevented acute hepatic enlargement (P < 0.006) in Otc(spf-ash) mice. Ornithine supplementation also increased [96 +/- 20 vs. 120 +/- 16 micromol/(kg.h), P < 0.001] the transfer of (15)N from glutamine to urea, to values observed in the control mice [123 +/- 17 micromol/(kg.h)]. De novo amido-N glutamine flux was higher [1.57 +/- 0.37 vs. 3.04 +/- 0.86 mmol/(kg.h); P < 0.001] in Otc(spf-ash) mice, but ornithine supplementation had no effect (P < 0.56). The flux of glutamine carbon skeleton was affected by both genotype (P < 0.0001) and by ornithine (P 0. 036). In conclusion, ornithine supplementation restored ureagenesis, mitigated hyperammonemia, prevented liver enlargement, and normalized the transfer of (15)N from glutamine to urea. These data strongly suggest that ornithine has the potential for the biochemical correction of OTCD in Otc(spf-ash) mice.

Amino Acids↗

PubMed1996

Metabolic changes and nutrient repletion in lambs provided with electrolyte solutions before and after feed and water deprivation.

Providing feeder calves and lambs with electrolyte solutions before and(or) after a transport period could potentially reduce tissue shrink and speed repletion of nutrients and weight that are lost during transport. This trial was conducted to determine metabolic changes and nutrient repletion in lambs provided with electrolyte solutions before and after feed and water deprivation. Solutions were 1) deionized water, 2) ES1 (g/10 L: NaCl, 2.0; K carbonate, 2.8; Mg sulfate.7H2O, 2.0; equal mixture of amino acids [Lys, Thr, Phe, His, Trp, Met, Leu, Ile, and Val], .45; and phosphoric acid to pH 7.0), 3) ES2 (twice the concentrations as in ES1), and ES3 (g/10 L: NaCl 2.0; K carbonate, 8.0; Mg sulfate.7H2O, 4.0; amino acid mixture from ES1, .45; and phosphoric acid to pH 7.0). Eight Suffolk x Hampshire crossbred lambs (average BW 35 +/- 2 kg) were used in an 8 x 8 Latin square design with treatments arranged in a 2 x 4 factorial. Main treatments consisted of two deprivation electrolyte solutions (deionized water or ES1) and four realimentation electrolyte solutions (deionized water, ES1, ES2, and ES3). Lambs were limit-fed (600 g/d, as-fed basis) before and after a 3-d feed and water deprivation phase. Lambs provided the ES1 solution during the pre-deprivation phase had greater (P < .05) Na, Mg, Zn retention during the pre-deprivation phase, had greater (P < .05) Na and Mg losses during the 3-d deprivation phase, and greater (P < .05) cumulative Na, Cu, and Fe retentions than lambs given deionized water during the pre-deprivation phase. Compared to lambs provided water, lambs provided the ES1 solution during the realimentation phase had greater Na retention but similar K, Mg, and water retentions. However, when the concentration of electrolytes in the solution was doubled (i.e., ES2 solution), Na, K, and Mg retentions were increased (P < .05) compared with those of lambs provided deionized water or the ES1 solution. These results suggest that as the length or severity of the stress period increases, the concentration of electrolytes in the electrolyte solution may need to be increased to improve nutrient balance.

Absorption↗

PubMed1990

Some metabolic aspects of the hypocholesterolemic effect of soybean protein in rats fed a cholesterol-free diet.

The present paper shows a series of experiments carried out to elucidate the possible mechanism by which soybean protein isolate (SPI) produces a lower level of plasma cholesterol than casein in rats fed a cholesterol-free diet. When the plasma cholesterol level was in a steady state characteristic of casein and SPI, SPI in the diet was substituted for casein and vice versa. Within 3 days after substitution of dietary protein, the plasma cholesterol level in each group reached a steady state level similar to that in its previous counterpart. The inherent responses of plasma cholesterol to casein and SPI were not changed by the resection of the jejunum or the ileum and the administration of cholestyramine or beta-sitosterol. The rates of the sterol synthesis in vivo of the liver and the small intestine were significantly higher in SPI-fed rats than in casein-fed rats. The hypocholesterolemic effect of SPI disappeared when Met was supplemented at a level equivalent to casein. The effects of casein and SPI were reproduced by their equivalent amino acid mixtures. The ratio of the postprandial increment of Met concentration to that of Gly concentration in the portal plasma was significantly higher when casein and its amino acid mixture were fed than when SPI and its amino acid mixture were fed. The casein-induced increase in the level of plasma cholesterol was attributed to an increase in high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol. HDL-cholesterol concentration showed the positive correlation with the lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase activity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Effects of branched-chain amino acids on protein turnover.

Amino acid availability rapidly regulates protein synthesis and degradation. Increasing amino acid concentrations above the levels found in post-absorptive plasma stimulates protein synthesis in a dose-dependent manner at the level of mRNA translation-initiation and inhibits protein degradation by inhibiting lysosomal autophagy. The anabolic effects of insulin on protein synthesis and protein degradation are exerted at the same sites (i.e., peptide chain initiation and lysosomal stabilization) allowing for a rapid synergistic response when both amino acids and insulin increase after a protein-containing meal. In perfused liver preparations, protein anabolic effects are exerted by a group of amino acids acting in concert. The BCAA are among the amino acids required for stimulation of hepatic protein synthesis, but there is no evidence that BCAA or leucine alone are effective. Leucine alone is an important inhibitor of hepatic protein degradation, but maximal inhibition requires in addition several other regulatory amino acids. In heart and skeletal muscle in vitro, increasing the concentration of the three BCAA or of leucine alone reproduces the effects of increasing the supply of all amino acids in stimulating protein synthesis and inhibiting protein degradation. Skeletal muscle is the largest repository of metabolically active protein and a major contributor to total body nitrogen balance. Supplying energy alone (i.e., carbohydrate and lipids) cannot prevent negative nitrogen balance (net protein catabolism) in animals or humans; only provision of amino acids allows the attainment of nitrogen balance. In rats and in humans nourished parenterally, provision of balanced amino acid solutions or of only the three BCAA cause similar improvements in nitrogen balance for several days. There is some evidence that infusions of leucine alone can stimulate muscle protein synthesis in vivo; the effect may be transitory and was not observed by all investigators; provisions of excess leucine alone does not seem to affect total body or muscle protein degradation in vivo. In postabsorptive rats, in vivo, infusion of the three BCAA together stimulates muscle protein synthesis as much as the infusion of a complete amino acid mixture or of a mixture of essential amino acids; the in vivo effect requires coinfusion of glucose or of small (physiological) doses of insulin, suggesting synergism between insulin and amino acids.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Amino Acids, Branched-Chain↗

PubMed1981

Dietary therapy in two patients with vitamin B12-unresponsive methylmalonic acidemia.

The biochemical and therapeutic responses to dietary therapy were studied in a 25-month-old girl and a 1-month-old girl with methylmalonic acidemia (MMA-emia), which was unresponsive to vitamin B12. The minimum daily intake of protein which patients could tolerate and display a good development was between 1.0 and 1.2 g per kg body weight. Supplementation with amino acid mixture devoid of toxic amino acids was required to prevent protein malnutrition when daily protein intake was restricted to 0.6 g per kg body weight. Caloric intake should be sufficient, not only to promote growth but also to prevent a rise in MMA level, especially when a patient has ketoacidosis. It was found that MMA excretion per mg creatinine in random urine specimens correlated significantly with serum MMA and twenty four-hour output of MMA per kg body weight. Therefore measurement of MMA in a single urine specimen is useful for evaluating the in vivo accumulation of MMA.

Acidosis↗

PubMed1979

The effect of protein depletion on the rate of protein synthesis in rat liver.

In order to understand the mechanism of decreased protein synthesis in the liver of rats fed a protein-free diet, the average polypeptide chain assembly time (tc) was measured by the method of Mathews et al. (J. Biol. Chem. (1973) 248, 1329). For rats fed a normal diet, tc in liver in vivo was 1.28 min. A 10-day period of protein depletion led to a value of tc = 2.08 min, corresponding to a 38% depression in polypeptide elongation rate. Protein depletion caused an extensive breakdown of hepatic polysomes and refeeding of a complete mixture of amino acids resulted in rapid recovery of polysomal profile. But tc in the liver of the refed animals gave still depressed value of 1.95 min. The amount and size distribution of poly(A)-containing mRNA in the liver, as determined by [3H]poly(U) hybridization, were the same for normal and depleted groups. These results suggest that both initiation and elongation steps of protein synthesis are depressed in the liver of protein-depleted rats. Refeeding of amino acid mixture rapidly restores initiation but not elongation activity.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Effects of tryptophan depletion on carbon dioxide provoked panic in panic disorder patients.

Results of an earlier study in healthy volunteers suggest that the serotonergic system is involved in anxiety-related mechanisms. We studied the influence of tryptophan depletion on the response to a 35% carbon dioxide challenge. Twenty-four panic disorder patients received a mixture of amino acids, either with or without tryptophan, under double-blind conditions. There was a significant increase in anxiety as well as in neurovegetative symptoms in the depletion group, compared to the placebo condition. Furthermore, when we compare the results of the placebo group with earlier panic provocation studies, it also seems that a balanced amino acid mixture might have a protective effect against a panic provocation. We conclude that the panic-enhancing effect of tryptophan depletion as well as the potential protective effect of tryptophan administration in panic disorder patients can be explained by the Deakin-Graeff theory of anxiety.

Adult↗