Amino acids and proteins in whole saliva of normal and malnourished Egyptian infants and young children were investigated. 16 amino acids, 7 of them are essential, could be detected in saliva of normal infants. Electrophoretic analysis revealed the existence of 10 protein components in saliva of either normal or malnourished infants. In oedematous cases, salivary aminoacids, particularly the essential ones, were increased as well as most of the protein components. In non-oedematous cases, the pattern was more or less normal, but in 3rd grade marasmus, amino acid and protein components of saliva were somewhat increased. The conclusion was drawn that such increase is mainly due to tissue degeneration which is more marked in oedematous than non-oedematous form of the disease.

The electrolytes sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium were determined in both plasma and erythrocytes of 300 PCM subjects and 26 parallel healthy controls. The results obtained revealed that: The level of plasma sodium was lower than normal in all PCM cases except in marasmic kwashiorkor. The RBC's sodium content was more or less not affected. Plasma potassium level was markedly lower than normal in all groups of malnourished subjects. RBC's potassium was significantly lower than normal in severe K.W.O. and marasmic kwashiorkor, while it was high in 3rd grade marasmus. Magnesium level was lower than normal in both plasma and RBC's in all malnourished subjects. Calcium level dropped in plasma and was elevated in RBC's. Estimation of RBC's minerals may be useful in reflecting the concerned changes in tissues of PCM subjects.

Enzymuria observed in PCM, especially in severe cases, does not seem to be a simple reflection of the increased serum values and suggests renal involvements. A number of factors among which are :- lowered clearance threshold for certain enzymes as well as rapid wear and tear or renal cells seem to participate in the causation of such enzymuria. Urine enzyme analysis may reflect the extent and state of renal pathology among different forms of PCM.

The level of total amino acids was determined in plasma and urine in cases suffering from ocdematous forms of PCM before and after receiving a single dose of each of cysteine, tryptophan and lysine. The increase in plasma amino acids following dosing was less in malnourished cases than in controls. Fasting urinary amino acid content in malnourished subjects was higher than in controls and so was also the ratio of urine amino acids collected after dosing to the fasting level. As the study revealed that protein depletion inhibits intestinal absorption and tubular reabsorption, parenteral administration of amino acids is recommended during treatment to escape intestinal loss. Excess oral protein should be given in food to compensate for losses via the gastro-intestinal and renal tracts.

In this work 60 male albino rats were subjected to a feeding experiment aimed to study the influence of protein free and reduced diets on normal function of rat testes. It was shown that the PEM exerts adverse effects on testicular function, the nature and severity of these effects depend on the duration of the deficiency state. Histological examination of rat testis, revealed that the spermatogenesis is arrested at spermatogonium stage in rats fed on protein free diet, and at primary and secondary spermatocyte stage in rats fed on normal but reduced diet.

Haematological as well as biochemical parameters assessing anaemia associating protein energy malnutrition PEM were estimated. Data revealed that controls studied have a relatively lower Hb, Ht, and R.B.C.S. count than European standards. Hypochromic anaemia was predominant in 83.3% of moderate Kwashiorkor being normocytic in 50% and microcytic in 33.3%. In severe KWO anaemia was normocytic in 42% and microcytic in 19.2%. Normochromia was found in 9.7% and hypochromia in 29%. Macrocytosis was found in 38.8% in severe KWO. In marasmus, normocytic anaemia was revealed in 74% of the 2nd. grade being normochromic in 82% and hypochromic in 40%. Macrocytic anaemia was detected in 26%. In 3rd. grade subjects normocytic normochromic anaemia occurred in 70% of the cases. Macrocytosis was encountered among 30% of the cases. Serum iron and transferrin level dropped in both KWO and marasmus, the extent of decrease was greater in the former. The percent transferrin saturation was elevated in severe cases. Particularly severe KWO and marasmic KWO.