title: Age-related reference values for plasma amino acids in a Spanish population measured by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Reference ranges of blood plasma amino acids are required for the diagnosis and management of inherited metabolic disorders affecting one or more amino acids and can significantly impact the clinical decision-making and the quality of patient care. Our objective was to establish the reference values for plasma amino acids in a Spanish population measured by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).
  
  
  METHODS
  Amino acids were extracted, derivatized to N(O)-tert-butyldimethylsilyl, and analyzed by GC-MS.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant differences in the concentrations of several amino acids have been determined between age groups. Such differences might be due to a combination of several factors, including age, genetic factors, nutritional status, and dietary habits.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The amino acid values are not evidently affected by sex, but they do vary with age. Such data help to provide a basis for diagnosing metabolic abnormalities. To our knowledge, this is the first published article showing the age-related reference ranges for plasma amino acids analyzed by GC-MS.
authors: Complejo Hospitalario Universitario A Coruña, Coruña, Spain. jamarredondo@hotmail.com
authors: Jose Antonio
authors: JA
authors: Méndez
authors: Antonio L
authors: AL
authors: Fernández-Sanmamed
authors: Maria S
authors: MS
authors: Gómez-Holgado
authors: Fernando
authors: F
authors: Fernández-Rodríguez
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000596:Amino Acids / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood*; D002624:Chemistry, Clinical / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012016:Reference Values; D012737:Sex Factors; D013030:Spain; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000596:Amino Acids