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The Effect of Feeding β‐2‐Thienylalanine on Phenylalanine Metabolism in the Rhesus Monkey *
Author(s) -
Lines D. R.,
Waisman H. A.
Publication year - 1973
Publication title -
australian and new zealand journal of medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.596
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1445-5994
pISSN - 0004-8291
DOI - 10.1111/j.1445-5994.1973.tb03971.x
Subject(s) - phenylalanine , medicine , excretion , physiology , adverse effect , endocrinology , biochemistry , biology , amino acid
Summary: β‐2‐thienylalanine, which is known to inhibit phenylalanine absorption in the intestine and to promote its excretion by the kidney, was fed to two infant Rhesus monkeys as a supplement to milk, for 240 days in a dosage of 0.75 g per kg. Two other infant monkeys received the same dose of β‐2‐thienylalanine plus phenylalanine 3 g per kg. These monkeys were compared with four infant animals that received phenylalanine 3 g per kg as a supplement, and a group that was fed milk alone. No adverse effect on growth or development by the β‐2‐thienylalanine feeding was noted. One of the monkeys which received β‐2‐thienylalanine with phenylalanine was not protected against the high blood phenylalanine and suffered neurological damage. The other monkey fed this combination did not appear to suffer any brain damage. However, brain damage was found in all four monkeys fed phenylalanine alone. It is concluded that β‐2‐thienylalanine is worthy of further study in the treatment of phenylketonuria.