DECREASE OF THE POOL OF AMINO-ACIDS ADSORBED ON BLOOD-CELL MEMBRANES CAUSED BY STARVATION IN RATS

The effect of 24 h starvation on the pool of amino acids adsorbed on t he blood cell membranes was determined in Wistar rats. Aortic and ilia c blood was analysed. 24 h starvation induced a significant decrease i n the combined essential amino acids adsorbed on the blood cell. membr anes, in both arterial and venous blood, without affecting whole-blood levels (adsorbed + non-adsorbed). The same tendency was extended to m ost of the individual amino acids. This finding indicates that this po ol of adsorbed amino acids has a rapid turnover and probably plays a p hysiological role in a situation of exogenous food deprivation.