Splenic Release of Amino Acids in Man Assessed by Arterial and Venous Blood Sampling in Situ

Abstract

The splenic arteriovenous differences in plasma amino acid concentrations were assessed in situ by peroperative sampling in 11 patients undergoing splenectomy because of benign and malignant hematologic diseases. The total difference was about 250 μmol/l, which suggests that the spleen contributes about 11 μmol/100g spleen/min of amino acids to the portal vein. This means that the liver extraction of amino acids may be at least 10% greater than previously believed.

Key Words:

• Amino acid turnover
• splanchnic metabolism
• splenic metabolism