A rapid method for monitoring serum neutral amino acid concentrations in severe liver disease.

A rapid liquid chromatographic method for monitoring the 6 neutral amino acid levels in serum, valine, leucine, isoleucine, tyrosine, phenylalanine and methionine, has been developed for use as one of the routine clinical laboratory tests for patients with severe liver disease requiring urgent treatment. This simple method would provide much valuable information for the selection of therapy, prediction of impending coma and evaluation of the patient's response to treatment, as well as an analysis of pathophysiology and prognosis.