Plasma amino acids in relation to metabolic control in insulin-dependent diabetic children.

The influence of metabolic control (estimated by blood glucose, 3-hydroxybutyrate and glycosylated hemoglobin levels) on plasma amino acids was determined in a group of 56 insulin-dependent diabetic children. A multiple correlation analysis revealed significant positive partial correlations between most amino acids and blood glucose. Alanine, methionine, tyrosine, phenylalanine and arginine showed negative partial correlations to the 3-hydroxybutyrate level. The results are consistent with the postulate that ketone body inhibition of muscle proteolysis is one of the factors regulating substrate flows during insulin deficiency.