PLASMA AMINO-ACID PROFILES IN ELDERLY MEN AND WOMEN OF 80 TO 100 YEARS OF AGE

The effects of age age and sex on the plasma free amino acid pattern o f healthy men and women, aged from 80 to 100 years were compared ed wi th those in younger adults (20 to 45 years old). Plasma amino acid con centrations were determined by ion-exchange chromatography on a 6300 B eckman analyzer. The plasma concentrations of valine, leucine, isoleuc ine, proline, glutamine + glutamic acid and phenylalanine were higher in males than in females. Citrulline, half-cystine, histidine, glutami ne + glutamic acid, lysine, ornithine and phenylalanine plasma concent rations and the total plasma amino acids were higher in elderly than i n younger subjects.