Blood ketoacids and its relation to respiratory quotient.

The total number of 43 young boys and girls of varying age group between 17-22 years were studied. The levels of blood ketoacids e.g., pyruvate and alphaketoglutarate were estimated spectrophotometrically. The RQ was determined by open circuit method of calorimetry by using Douglas bag for 13 boys and 13 girls and the BMR was estimated by closed circuit method of calorimetry using Collin's metabolex. With the increase of age the RQ and pyruvate were found to increase till the age of 20 years for both the sexes. The increased pyruvate level had a positive correlation with the age for the girls and the alphaketoglutaric acid had no such correlation with age for both the sexes.