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1. Sex-related differences of long pelvic limb bones and serum bone metabolism indices were evaluated in 14-month-old female (N = 7) and male (N = 7) ostriches of similar body weights. 2. Densitometric parameters of femur, tibia and tarsometatarsus were determined using quantitative computed tomography (volumetric bone mineral density, calcium hydroxyapatite density and mean volumetric bone mineral density) and dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (bone mineral density and bone mineral content) methods. Geometrical parameters such as cortical bone area, cross-sectional area, second moment of inertia, mean relative wall thickness and cortical index were determined in the midshaft of bones. Mechanical properties of bones (maximum elastic strength and ultimate strength) were evaluated using three-point bending test. Serum concentrations of free amino acids, osteocalcin, N-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen, C-terminal telopeptides of type II collagen and total antioxidative capacity were also determined. 3. Bone weight and relative bone weight of all bones were significantly higher in males than in females. Significantly lower values of trabecular bone mineral density and calcium hydroxyapatite density were found in the trabecular bone of tibia in males. The highest number of the sex-related differences was observed in the tarsometatarsus where bone length, bone mineral content, cortical bone area, cross-sectional area and ultimate strength were higher in males. Serum concentrations of taurine, hydroxyproline, valine and isoleucine were significantly higher in males. 4. Higher loading of the tarsometatarsus in comparison to femur and tibia may be an important factor interacting with sex hormones in regulation of bone formation and mineralisation processes. Sex-related differences of bone properties were associated with increased serum concentration of selected amino acids in males. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to evaluate plasma amino acid profiles and their interrelationships in male Polish Merino sheep at two different stages of their systemic development -- at the neonatal monogastric stage and as a fully grown ruminant. Male lambs (n = 12, singles) were kept indoors in pens under standard rearing conditions and weaned at the age of 10 weeks of life. Blood samples were collected on day 21 and 150 of life. Free amino acids were determined in plasma using ion-exchange chromatography. There was a significant reduction in plasma amino acid concentrations between neonatal and functioning ruminants for threonine, serine, glutamate, proline, citrulline, tyrosine, tryptophan, lysine, histidine and arginine. Significant increases in the plasma concentrations of alpha-amino-butyrate and isoleucine were observed in 150 day old lambs. Except for glutamine in 21 day old sheep which was significantly negatively correlated with serine, glutamate, proline and tyrosine concentrations in plasma, the obtained results in younger and older groups of lambs showed 47 and 22 significant positive correlations between the evaluated amino acids. This study shows that decreases in plasma amino acid concentrations in 150 day old sheep with physiologically developed forestomachs are dominant in comparison to 21 day-old animals receiving maternal milk as a basic diet. Our results address the possibility of utilising improved amino acid supply for growing lambs with developed forestomachs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to examine plasma amino acids (AA) percentages in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients. Altered metabolism of AA, especially excitatory AA in ALS, has been reported. The investigation was conducted at the Department of Neurology, University School of Medicine in Lublin. The study comprised 50 patients; 20 persons with ALS and 30 controls. Plasma AA were measured by automated ion-exchange chromatography. The results show significantly lower percentages of plasma tyrosine, valine, methionine, leucine, and isoleucine and significantly higher percentages of plasma glutamine and serine in ALS than in controls. The clinical state significantly influenced the percentage of plasma phenylalanine and alanine. Our study shows significant changes in some plasma AA percentages in ALS; however, excitatory AApercentages did not differ from the control subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of riluzole (Rilutek) treatment on plasma amino acids (AA) percentage capacity in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients. Excitatory AA may be important in the pathogenesis of ALS. Riluzole is a neuroprotective drug that blocks glutamatergic neurotransmission in the central nervous system. The study was conducted at the Department of Neurology, University School of Medicine in Lublin. The study comprised 20ALS patients. PlasmaAAwere measured by automated ionexchange chromatography before and after 3 months of riluzole treatment. The study has shown a significant decrease in serine percentage capacity and a significant increase in isoleucine percentage capacity in the plasma of the ALS patients, however the plasma excitatory AA percentage capacity was not significantly changed after 3 months of the riluzole treatment. Our investigations revealed that riluzole does not significantly influence the majority of plasma AA percentage capacity in ALS patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]