title: Aqueous humour and plasma amino acids in tapeto-retinal degenerations.
abstract: The concentration of 18 amino acids and related compounds has been determined in plasma and aqueous humour in 17 patients with tapeto-retinal degenerations, among them 10 patients with retinitis pigmentosa. When compared with a previously obtained reference series of 40 patients abnormal aqueous concentrations (Caq) were found for taurine, glutamine, glutamic acid, proline, glycine, alpha-ANBA and cystine. As regards the plasma concentrations (Cpl) only glutamic acid and alpha-ANBA showed abnormal values. Several of the substances showing abnormal concentrations are possible neurotransmittors or inhibitors. The results suggest that aqueous humour analysis will be a useful way of studying retinal degenerations.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000596:Amino Acids / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D000613:Aminobutyrates / Q000097:blood; D001082:Aqueous Humor / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D005971:Glutamates / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012162:Retinal Degeneration / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012174:Retinitis Pigmentosa / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology*
chemical_list: D000596:Amino Acids; D000613:Aminobutyrates; D005971:Glutamates