INCREASE OF URIC ACID IN THE BLOOD DURING PROLONGED STARVATION

Abstract

In the course of studies dealing with the chemistry of the blood of epileptic patients during starvation treatment, a marked increase in the concentration of the uric acid in the blood has been found. Observations have been made during twenty-two starvation periods, varying in length from three to twenty-one days, on nineteen subjects. Two of these were normal controls; the others were patients with epilepsy. Except for water, starvation was absolute. Blood examinations were made every day in most cases, and every second or third day in some. The following substances were measured during some or all of the periods: in the blood, the total nonprotein, urea, amino-acid, uric acid and creatinin nitrogen, sugar, chlorid, calcium, phos phorus, cholesterol, and alkali reserve, and in the urine the total nitrogen, uric acid and hydrogen ion concentration. This paper deals only with the findings in regard to uric acid in the blood.