Abnormal plasma amino acid profiles in patients undergoing bone marrow transplant.

Amino acid concentrations in plasma have been measured during total parenteral nutrition in patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation. Profound hyperaminoacidemia was noted in the immediate para-transplant period. The increase was due mainly to high levels of phenylalanine and methionine. During the radiation treatment period these amino acids plus valine, proline, serine and glycine were exceptionally high. Levels of cystine and asparagine tended to be low. The results suggest that infusion of a mixture of amino acids which is lower in phenylalanine and methionine might result in better nitrogen utilization.