title: Effect of hydrazine sulphate on whole-body protein breakdown measured by 14C-lysine metabolism in lung cancer patients.
abstract: In a prospective double-blind trial twelve malnourished patients with lung cancer were randomised to receive either placebo or hydrazine sulphate (60 mg three times daily) for 30 days. Fasting lysine flux was determined by a primed 4-hour continuous infusion of 14C-lysine before and after one month of hydrazine treatment. Baseline plasma lysine flux was 2580 (SD 580) mumol/h for the placebo group and 2510 (440) mumol/h for the hydrazine group. After one month the placebo group showed a slight rise to 2920 (450) mumol/h (p = 0.08) and the hydrazine group showed a significant fall to 1840 (750) mumol/h (p less than 0.05); serum albumin fell in the placebo group and was unchanged in the hydrazine group. Administration of hydrazine sulphate to reduce aminoacid flux may favourably influence the metabolic abnormalities in cancer cachexia.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002100:Cachexia / Q000517:prevention & control; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006834:Hydrazines / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D008239:Lysine / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D011897:Random Allocation; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000032:analysis; D012737:Sex Factors
chemical_list: D006834:Hydrazines; D011506:Proteins; D012709:Serum Albumin; C029424:hydrazine; D008239:Lysine