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Sound transduction in the cochlea critically depends on the circulation of potassium ions (K(+)) along so-called "K(+) recycling routes" between the endolymph and perilymph. These K(+) currents generate high ionic and osmotic gradients, which potentially impair the excitability of sensory hair cells and threaten cell survival in the entire cochlear duct. Molecular water channels-aquaporins (AQP)-are expressed in all cochlear supporting cells along the K(+) recycling routes; however, their significance for osmotic equilibration in cochlear duct cells is unknown.The diffusive and osmotic water permeabilies of Reissner's membrane, the organ of Corti and the entire cochlear duct epithelium were determined. Expression of the potassium channel Kir4.1 and the water channel AQP4 in the cochlear duct was investigated by immunohistochemistry.The calculated water permeability values indicate the extent of AQP-facilitated water flux across the cochlear duct epithelium. Immunohistochemically, Kir4.1 and AQP4 were found to colocalize in distinct membrane domains of supporting cells along the K(+)-recycling routes.These observations suggest the presence of a rapid AQP-mediated water exchange between the endolymph, the cells of the cochlear duct and the perilymph. The subcellular colocalization of Kir4.1 and AQP4 in epithelial supporting cells indicates functional coupling of potassium and water flow in the cochlea. Finally, this offers an explanation for the hearing impairment observed in individuals with mutations in the AQP4 gene.

Cold plasma, a new treatment principle in dermatology based on ionic discharge delivering reactive molecular species and UV-light, exhibits strong antimicrobial efficacy in vitro and in vivo. Before implementing plasma as new medical treatment tool, its safety must be proven, as well as assessing skin tolerance and patient acceptance.We investigated the plasma effects of three different plasma sources (pulsed, non-pulsed atmospheric pressure plasma jet (APPJ) and a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD)) on the transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and skin moisture after treating the fingertips of four healthy male volunteers.TEWL values were reduced by pulsed APPJ and DBD by about 20% but increased after non-pulsed APPJ by 5-20%. TEWL values normalized 30 min after all forms of plasma treatment. Skin moisture was increased immediately and 30 min after treatment with pulsed APPJ but was not affected by non-pulsed APPJ and DBD.All plasma treatments were well-tolerated and did not damage the skin barrier nor cause skin dryness. Cold plasma fulfils basic recommendations for safe use on human skin and as future option may serve as the first physical skin antiseptic.

Disorders of electrolyte balance are frequent and pathophysiologically complex. Sodium is responsible for a large part of the osmolarity of extracellular fluids. Therefore, pathological concentrations of serum sodium reflect the relation between sodium and water in the extracellular compartment rather than the total body sodium content. The causes of hypo- or hypernatremia can only be deduced if total body volume status is considered. Patients with hyponatremia and volume deficit should receive sodium chloride solution while patients with this disorder in the presence of volume overload need strict water restriction. In certain cases additional specific pharmacotherapy directed at the effects of antidiuretic hormone may be considered. Potassium and calcium are extracellular regulatory ions; their concentrations do not relevantly contribute to osmolarity and water distribution but to electrophysiologically relevant transmembrane potentials. These ions are influenced by active membrane transporters and regulated by several hormones. The rather small extracellular pools are overfilled or depleted by alterations of intake and excretion. In addition, several inborn or acquired defects of transmembrane transporters may severely alter their extracellular concentrations. Therapy needs to consider the specific mechanisms that led to the electrolyte disorder including modification of intake, excretion or extra-intracellular distribution.

Topical urea preparations containing urea have been used successfully to improve the barrier function of the skin. We investigated whether the efficacy of an urea-containing topical preparation could be improved by the addition of vitamins and ceramides. For this an intra-individual comparative study was conducted on 10 subjects with healthy skin. The application of the combination preparation containing urea, vitamins and ceramides for 2 weeks was significantly superior to the urea-only preparation in respect to reduction of transepidermal water loss and skin hydration levels. This improved efficacy was associated with a stronger up-regulation of the transcriptional expression of differentiation genes in keratinocytes in the treated skin areas. While both preparations caused an increased expression of the genes encoding transglutaminase-1, involucrin, loricrin and filaggrin, this increase was significantly greater in those skin areas treated with the combination preparation. This study indicates that the efficacy of topical preparations containing urea can be enhanced by the incorporation of ceramides and vitamins.

Volume retention in heart failure, nephrotic syndrome, and liver cirrhosis reflects pathological changes in homeostatic mechanisms that regulate the extracellular volume (sympathetic activity, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system [RAAS], natriuretic peptides) and plasma osmolality (antidiuretic hormone [ADH]). In heart failure and liver cirrhosis, these changes are induced by a reduction of the effective circulating volume, which is the part of the extracellular fluid that is within the arterial system and effectively perfusing the tissues. This reduction in the effective circulating volume is caused by reduced cardiac output (heart failure), or by splanchnic vasodilatation with arterial underfilling (liver cirrhosis). In both cases, baroreceptors in both the carotid sinuses and in the glomerular afferent arterioles upregulate RAAS- and sympathetic activity, resulting in systemic vasoconstriction and renal sodium (and volume) retention. More severe reductions in the effective circulating volume may additionally stimulate ADH release, thus increasing the reabsorption of free water with subsequent hyponatriemia. In nephrotic syndrome, volume retention results either directly from the primary renal disease, which induces renal sodium and volume retention ("overfilling"), or indirectly from the reduced plasma oncotic pressure due to hypoalbuminemia, which induces a fluid shift from the intravascular to the interstitial space ("underfilling") with subsequent acitivation of baroreceptors and secondary sodium and volume retention.

Long-lasting endurance exercise is associated with significant losses of fluid and sodium chloride, mainly due to sweat loss. To maintain endurance capacity and to avoid negative health consequences, endurance athletes should, therefore, drink fluids containing electrolytes during and after training or competition. In long-lasting endurance exercise it is recommended that athletes drink about 600-800 ml/h of fluid including adequate substitution of sodium. The excessive ingestion of fluid, however, brings about a danger of hyponatremia, which can be avoided by suitable measures. Body weight control is one of the parameters that should be carefully monitored before and after intensive endurance exercise.

To evaluate whether metabolic changes of the erector trunci muscle in patients with lumbar disc herniation can be detected with proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy ( (1)H-MRS).In 10 patients with lumbar disc herniation and 16 healthy volunteers, proton spectra were obtained from the erector trunci muscle and analyzed for fat-water ratio. The axial images were evaluated for the degree of atrophy of the erector trunci muscle. The muscular tissue was histopathologically examined in 2 patients.The examination was well tolerated by all patients and volunteers and all acquired spectra could be analyzed. Patients with lumbar disc herniation have a significantly increased fat-water ratio of 0.19 compared to 0.09 in the control group, with a p-value of 0.003. This result correlates well with the bioptical findings of increased intracellular lipid deposits and lipomatous transformation of the muscle parenchyma.(1)H-MRS is a useful method to detect metabolic changes in lumbar back musculature and, as a non-invasive technique, might play a role in monitoring exercise in lumbar disc herniation. It can be expected that muscle regeneration will be shown as precisely as muscle degeneration. This hypothesis, however, remains to be proven.

The appearance of the skin depends greatly on the hydration of the stratum corneum which is regulated by water binding substances of the corneocytes and also by the quality of the stratum corneum lipids. Furthermore these lipids are responsible for the barrier function. In patients with atopic dermatitis, the water binding capacity and the barrier function of the stratum corneum are reduced even in clinically healthy skin areas. Emollients can damage the stratum corneum and lead to desiccation and a disturbance of the barrier. This effect is a result of an increased permeability of the barrier lipids and direct damage to the keratinocytes and corneocytes. The degree of damage of the barrier caused by emollients in dermatological vehicles has not been sufficiently investigated. As suggested by hypothetical considerations, such an effect is not expected and cannot be demonstrated in water-in-oil-emulsions. Oil-in-water-emulsions without glycerol as well as lipophilic and hydrophilic microemulsions do damage the barrier function. Both types of microemulsions additionally lead to a dehydration of the stratum corneum. The damaging effect of oil-in-water-emulsions can be reduced by the addition of glycerol and urea.

The degree of fatty infiltration of the rotator cuff is an important factor for the prognosis of an operative reconstruction afterrotator cuff tear. The aim of this work was to develop a method using a clinical MR scanner that allows the quantification of the fat/water ratio with the necessary spatial resolution.A SPLASH sequence consisting of 19 complex 2D-FLASH images was implemented on a clinical 1.5 T MR scanner. The echo time was gradually increased from 5.0 ms to 50.0 ms. A spatial in plane resolution of 1.17 mm, a spectral resolution of 0.33 ppm and a spectral width of 6.25 ppm were achieved in a total acquisition time of about 3 min. The quantitative evaluation of the spectra in arbitrarily shaped regions of interest (ROIs) was obtained using a home-built reconstruction program and the time domain fit program AMARES.Phantom studies show a linear relation of the concentration determined by SPLASH spectroscopy (r = 0.997). Because of the high spatial resolution and the possibility to evaluate arbitrarily shaped ROIs, the determination of the fat/water ratio in single muscles in the shoulder has been possible.By the use of the 2D-SPLASH sequence the degree of fatty infiltration in the rotator cuff can now be determined quantitatively for the first time.

PHYSIOLOGY AND PATHOPHYSIOLOGY: Total body water represents 60% of body weight (BW), consisting of 40% BW intra- and 20% BW extracellular fluid. Extracellular fluid is divided into 16% BW interstitial fluid and 4% BW plasma volume (Fig. 1). The colloid oncotic pressure (COP) of the plasma proteins, which is about 25 mmHg (Fig. 2), is the main factor for the retention of intravascular volume and the prevention of interstitial edema. Within a defined range, oxygen transport capacity can be improved by normovolaemic haemodilution. Under strictly normovolaemic conditions ("controlled haemodilution"), the critical haemoglobin concentration for intensive care patients is about 10.0 g/dl, and 8-6 g/dl in patients with satisfactory compensatory mechanisms under stable clinical conditions. Larger blood volume deficits are replaced step by step with volume replacement solutions (crystalloids and synthetic colloids), packed red cells, fresh-frozen plasma, and platelets (Fig. 3). VOLUME REPLACEMENT WITH CRYSTALLOID AND COLLOID SOLUTIONS: Crystalloid solutions do not contain any macromolecules. Due to their lack of intrinsic COP, they spread rapidly over the intravascular and interstitial space. To achieve a comparable volume effect like colloid solutions, a fourfold infusion volume is necessary. Thus, crystalloids should be used in addition to colloid solutions to compensate the interstitial fluid deficit. Hyperosmotic-hyperoncotic solutions have not yet been established, and their benefit seems doubtful. Synthetic colloid solutions contain gelatin, dextran, or hydroxyethyl starch (HES) molecules. Due to their intrinsic COP, fluid is fixated in the intravascular space (Fig. 4). Solutions with high COP increase the intravascular volume due to resorption of interstitial fluid (plasma expanders). Pharmacological characterisation of synthetic colloids includes concentration [%], mean molecular weight [x1,000 Dalton] and degree and position of substitution (HES only). Main clinical features are the maximal volume effect and the duration of a 100% and a 50% volume effect (Fig. 5). For economic reasons, 5% albumin should not be used for volume replacement. The use of 20% albumin in intensive care patients is also limited and recommended only if a capillary leck is unlikely and the dose limits of synthetic colloids are reached. Gelatin is a polypeptide of bovine origin and achieves a shortlasting isovolaemic volume effect. When compared with dextran or HES, negative effects on haemostatis are less, and the renal function is not impaired. Thus, gelatin is first of all indicated in patients with limited volume demand, and secondly in situations with massive blood losses, when the dose limits of HES are reached. Dextran has no specific benefits. HES is a polysaccharide of maize or potato origin. By substitution of glucose molecules with hydroxyethyl groups, starch molecules are protected against fast amylase degradation. Metabolism depends on the degree and position of substitution and mean molecular weight. Smaller molecules are eliminated via the kidneys, but a certain amount of larger molecules is stored in the reticulo-endothelial system. HES is available in very different preparations (concentration 3-10%, mean molecular weight 70,000-450,000 Dalton, substitution 50-70%). Special indications of 10% HES 200/0.5 are rapid hypervolaemic replacement of massive blood losses and increase of COP in intensive care patients without capillary leak. Synthetic colloids as well as albumin may lead to adverse reactions, which are generally very rare. In large-scala studies, no significant differences have been found with regard to incidence and severity.

Back fat thickness was measured at six points in 251 beef heifers aged 3 to 17 months, in 27 beef bulls aged 15 months and in 200 Holstein dairy cows of different age. This was paralleled by estimation of body fat content based on total body water analysis. All groups of animals showed the same pattern of back fat thickness for the measuring points investigated, which lead to the result of one optimum measuring point for determination of back fat thickness. The correlation coefficients between back fat thickness and body fat content were estimated to be between 0.80 and 0.87 for all groups investigated. Change in back fat thickness by 1 mm corresponded to gain or loss of around 5 kg body fat in all animal groups. Therefore it is possible to make concrete assessments of body fat content on the basis of back fat thickness.

Body composition based on total body water analysis using phenazone were estimated in 251 beef heifers, aged 3 to 17 months, 27 beef bulls aged 15 months and 200 Holstein dairy cows of different age and stage of lactation. Correlation coefficients between body fat content and live weight were estimated to be between 0.59 and 0.97 for groups of animals. In beef heifers there was a fat gain of 294 g per live weight gain of 1 kg, in beef bulls 247g, in cows until third lactation 418 g and 731 g respectively 791 g in entirely full-grown cows. Cows of first lactation showed loss in body fat content with simultaneous gain in live weight. Hence, using body weight for assessment of change in body fat content is dependent on special prerequisites, which will be discussed.

Back fat thickness was measured at six points in 251 beef heifers aged 3 to 17 months, in 27 beef bulls aged 15 months and in 200 SMR-cows of different age. This was paralleled by estimation of body composition based on total body water analysis. All groups of animals showed the same pattern of back fat thickness for the measuring points investigated. This lead to the result of one optimum measuring point for determination of back fat thickness, which will be described. The portion of body fat relative to body weight change showed great variations in dependence on age. Therefore live weight is of limited relevance for the estimation of body condition. The correlation coefficients between back fat thickness and body fat content were estimated to be between 0.80 and 0.87 for all groups investigated. Change in back fat thickness by 1 mm corresponded to gain or loss of around 5 kg body fat in all animal groups. Hence, measurement of back fat thickness is a suitable method for objective estimation of body condition.

Absorption of irrigating fluid by blood vessels during endoscopic urological surgery may result in cardiac insufficiency, impairment of electrolyte metabolism and neurological disorders. For detection and quantification of the volume absorbed, ethanol is added to the irrigating fluid. The resulting blood alcohol concentration can be obtained by measuring the alcohol concentration in the expired air. For artificially ventilated patients receiving a general anesthetic, electrochemical sensors that remain uneffected by volatile anaesthetics are used. In the present study, the measuring accuracy of three different alcohol analyzers using electrochemical sensors was tested against an infrared reference sensor during simulated ventilation in a lung model, and the optimal trigger time point for sampling determined. All three devices tested show the same degree of accuracy as the reference. For manual endexpiratory triggering devices with short sampling times are best suitable. Portable devices powered by rechargeable batteries and usable with both spontaneously breathing and ventilated patients are recommended for clinical application.

The determination of Total Body Water (TBW) by means of even dilution of the perorally administered indicator substance ethanol in the TBW-space is successful with a precision which is in direct comparison with other dilution-indicators, even superior that of D2O, which can be considered as a standard indicator substance for TBW. Thus, also indirectly, another proof emerges for the fact that ethanol dissolves exclusively in the body water. Applying the alcohol-method shows that even small changes of a few hundred milliliters of the body water volume, as they appear during the menstruation cycle, are detectable. Even in patients with a terminal renal failure and the risk of pathological water retention of several liters, there is no criterion which might exclude the TBW-determination by means of the dilution of slight quantities of ethanol. Finally, considering the possibility to determine the blood alcohol concentration (after a complete distribution in the TBW-space) with sufficient precision using a breath ethanol analyzer of the latest generation, the possibility emerges to carry out TBW-determination in patients and volunteers essentially noninvasive.

Anorexia and bulimia nervosa are common in western civilized countries. They are frequently associated with disorders of the skin. Up to now, no dermatological studies of large numbers of patients with eating disorders have been published. We examined 145 patients with eating disorders (65 anorexia nervosa, 80 bulimia nervosa) regarding skin alterations. Simultaneously we controlled the moisture content and the superficial lipids of the skin. Several symptoms relevant to dermatology were found. In detail we report on: xerosis, hair changes, nail disorders, pathognomonic hand lesions, sialadenosis, lesions of the oral mucosa and the teeth, peripheral oedema, acrocyanosis, petechiae and artefacts.

We determined the water concentration in intracranial hematomas and in blood in 43 cases. The water concentration of the blood of hematomas has some significance to estimate the age of hematomas and therefore the survival time.

The authors studied the body composition of light and heavy male Wistar rats (approximately 11 and 21 weeks of age) from two diet groups fed a high-fat (HFD, 50 per cent (w/w) fat) and a low-fat diet (LFD, 3 per cent (w/w) fat), respectively. In both age-groups the heavy HFD rats showed a considerably higher fat proportion (as compared with light LFD rats) associated with a correspondingly reduced body water content and an approximately identical body protein concentration. On comparing light and heavy rats (11 and 21 weeks of age) from the same diet group as to their body composition, the authors found greater differences only in the 21-week-old HFD animals; as against light animals, the heavy animals exhibited a highly significant increase in body fat content and a highly significant decrease in body water content. A comparison of LFD and HFD animals of approximately the same weight revealed an increase of the relative body fat content and a decrease of the percentage of body water content in light 11-week-old and also in 21-week-old HFD animals as against heavy LFD animals.

9 healthy medical students got an isocaloric fat-rich carbohydrate-reduced diet during 14 days. Body-weight and lean body mass were registrated. We calculated lean body mass from measurement of skinfold thickness, total body potassium and total body water. Body-weight was reduced highly significantly by 3.4 kg on an average. Body potassium and body water remained unchanged. It can be concluded from these results that weight loss was caused by an exclusive reduction of the fat mass.

The involutive restriction of the renal function and of the thirst and the reduction of body water also diminished the range of efficacy and possibility for adaptation of the water metabolism of old people. Under geriatric aspects the causes for the senile exsiccosis are discussed. It is found that in old patients the quicker metabolism imbalance means a stronger threat of life that the disease itself. Often the consideration of this problem in much cases of diseases can save the life of the old patient.

Three piglets of 22 kg were infected each with 10 larvae of Trichinella spiralis per g body weight. In the blood plasma the contents of several electrolytes were measured twice per week to day 45 post infection (p.i.). These electrolytes, water, dry matter, lipids, nitrogen and ash contents were assayed on samples of muscles of each animal after they were sacrificed on day 61 p.i. Three noninfected piglets served as controls. In blood plasma the contents of Na, Mg, Ca, Cu, Zn and chloride decreased, K- and Fe-contents increased. This process started at earliest on day 7 p.i. Only the Na- and the Fe-contents returned partially to preinfection values up to the end of the investigation period. In the muscles the Ca-contents were increased strongly on day 61 p.i., the Cu- and Zn-contents not the the same extent. There was a decrease in Fe, P, K, Na and Mg contents. The water contents of the muscles increased from 0.53 to 4.9%. The portion of dry matter was reduced correspondingly. Lipids contents increased 2.0 and 127.9% and ash contents 1.7 to 4.4%. Nitrogen contents were reduced by 2.5 to 5.9%.

Severe intracellular potassium depletion was found with maldigestion (short bowel, high output fistula, M. Crohn, colitis ulcerativa) when total body potassium and water measurement were taken. Serum potassium levels were misleading. These methods are of particular value in planning and conducting a preoperative infusion therapy to correct the documented deficit.

The involutive restriction of the renal and pulmonary function and of the thirst and the reduction of body water also diminished the range of efficacy and possibility for adaptation of the water- and electrolyte metabolism of old people. Under geriatric aspects many causes for the endangering of the water- and electrolyte metabolism are discussed. It is founded that in old patients the quicker metabolism imbalance means a stronger threat of life that the disease itself. Often the consideration of this problem in much cases of diseases can save the life of the old patient.

In old people the range of operation, as well as the adaptability of the electrolyte and water metabolism, is reduced by the involutive reduction of the renal, pulmonary and endocrinic functions, as well as by a reduced feeling of thirst, a reduction of the buffer mechanisms, and a dwindling amount of body water. The threat to the maintenance of the requisite amount of body-water and to a normal electrolysis, caused by gastro-intestinal illnesses, is discussed from the point of view of geriatrics. Hydro-mineral upsets occurring in gastroenterology are primarily caused either by an inadequate supply, inadequate absorption, or by an extra-ordinary loss of intestinal secretions, as well as by interference with the normal electrolyte and water metabolism due to medical treatment. Situations in which such hydro-mineral disturbances wright occur are indicated and therapeutic measures suggested. We assert and prove that in old people the danger of extreme reduction of body-water and electrolysis frequently presents a greater threat to life than the illness from which it proceeds, and we maintain that a due consideration of this problem can in many cases literally save the life of the old patient.

Gallstones extracted by surgery were examined for CT density, which was compared with the x-ray-film, floating performance and chemical analysis of the stones. So far, the water content of the biliary concrements--14% on the average--has not been given much attention. Drying will considerably reduce the density; examination of dried gallstones yields a false picture of direct ray absorption. Pure cholesterol stones do not float in water, and they show positive values on Hounsfield's scale (+30--+60). The article discusses the question whether CT is suitable for effecting a better selection of gallstone patients who can be treated by drug therapy.

19-day trials were carried out with diets containing varying amounts of methionine (0.3%), 0.8%, 1.3%, 2.0%, 2.8%, 5.3%). Diets containing 0.8% methionine were found to have the most favourable effect. Increasing methionine supplementation gradually decreased the food consumption, the daily weight gains and the efficiency of food utilization of the animals. Data on weight gains and food utilization in the "pair-fed" groups were more favourable. A stepwise decline was observed with regard to the absolute quantity of nitrogen retained (mg) as well as with regard to the quotient (%) of the amount of N retained to the amount of N utilized. Studies on the body composition of the animals showed that all those animals consuming large quantities of methionine did not synthesize protein while the process of protein synthesis in "pair fed" animals was found to be reduced, but still positive. These results suggest the occurrence of disorders in the protein metabolism arising in the organism of the animals in response to the uptake of large amounts of methionine. The relatively low fat content of the bodies of animals receiving excessive amounts of methionine, the increasing losses of fat during the trial as well as decreases in the RQ values indicated an increased rate of fat utilization in these animals. The relative water content of the body of animals receiving excessive quantities of methionine was higher, but, nevertheless, the massive weight decreases were, in the first instance, due to losses of water. Loss of water and fat as well as relative hydratation are characteristic symptoms of malnutrition. These were, to some extent, also observed in "pair fed" animals.

Further results of investigations using the dermatometer according to Bingmer for the determination of the actual moisture content of superficial skin layers are presented. The investigations are divided into in-vitro tests, tests on excised skin and tests on humans. Results indicate that the Bingmer apparatus used in these trials shows considerable specific sensitivity to changes in the moisture content of the media examined. Different results obtained by other workers might be due to the use of Bingmer apparatus with a different carrier frequency. The advantage of apparatus based on 9 Kc carrier frequency is stressed. As a whole, the use of the Bingmer apparatus may be considered a step forward in dermatological and cosmetic examination techniques.

A report is given on a 18 year old girl with a Kleine-Levin-syndrome, which was studied 4 years after beginning in the menarche. At first there were only attacks of nausea and vertigo. One year later the attacks were combined with hypersomnia for several hours. Remarkable was a minimal overirritability of the right vestibular system and a slight hypersensitivity to touch and pain on the whole right side. Worth mentioning is also a disturbed water balance (retention). A disturbance of the hypothalamic regulation is supposed and methylphenidate-hydrochloride (Rilatin) is commanded for treatment.

In the present study frequency and mechanisms of alterations in serum electrolytes in multiple myeloma were investigated. Asymptomatic hyponatremia (up to 93 mmol/l) was present in 7 of 15 patients. Water of serum was significantly lower, viscosity of serum significantly raised as compared to healthy controls. A highly significant negative correlation between sodium concentration and viscosity was found. By measuring serum sodium concentration with viscosity independent dilution systems it could be proved that in each case the observed hyponatremia was caused by flaws in our routinely used viscosity dependent dilution method. The decrease in water of serum contributed only little to the development of hyponatremia. It is concluded that the decrease in serum sodium concentration in multiple myeloma is nothing else than a feigned hyponatremia which needs no therapy.

The effects of an isocaloric control diet of high-protein and low-protein diets (in which protein amounted to 16, 62 and 2% of total calorie content, respectively) with and without simultaneous administration of Thyreotom or methylthiouracil on total body composition have been studied in growing male Wistar rats. In spite of higher average Kcal intake (per day and 100 g of body weight), the rats on the high-protein diet were weighing less than the control animals at the end of the experiment. As compared to the control animals, the rats on the high-protein diet as well as those on the low-protein diet showed a greater relative weight of the thyroid gland. The protein percentage of the body was not significantly increased by an increase in protein supply; likewise, it was not significantly reduced by a decrease in protein supply. The body fat content was by 2/3 lower in the rats on the lowprotein diet than in the control animals. This difference was statistically significant. Thyroid hormones (1 mug liothyronine + 4 mug levothyroxine/100 g body weight, administered orally for 3 weeks) produced a slight increase of body protein in the rats on the high-protein diet; they increased it significantly in the rats on the low-protein diet. Body fat was correspondingly reduced. Methylthiouracil reduces the body fat content in the control animals and in the rats on the high-protein diet; it increased the body fat content in the rats on the low-protein diet. Our results confirm the partial findings of human pathology and demonstrate clearly that nutritional diseases, especially protein deficiency, worsen considerably in case of concomitant disorders of thyroid hormone metabolism.