Effects of triamcinolone acetonide on plasma amino acids and urinary urea output in rabbits

Abstract

1. 1. The effect of administering triamcinolone acetonide (10 mg/kg/day), 6 consecutive s.c. injections given daily, on plasma free amino acids and urinary urea output was studied in rabbits. 2. 2. The total free amino acids in plasma decreased significantly from day 2 while ammonia increased significantly only on day 2, glutamine, lysine and branched amino acids increased significantly from day 3 or 5. 3. 3. The output of urinary urea increased significantly from day 3. 4. 4. These findings suggest the inhibition of protein synthesis observed in steroid myopathy may result from a decrease in the amino acid pool in skeletal muscle.