Mobilization of glutamine and asparagine in mouse kidney during Ehrlich cell carcinoma development.

ABSTRACT

Glutamine, glutamate, asparagine, and aspartate contents in mouse kidney during Ehrlich ascites carcinoma development were determined. Significant changes in the concentrations of these amino acids were observed only 24 h after tumour inoculation, and they were highest during the exponential phase of tumour growth. These data agree with other previously reported studies and point to a potential of tumour cells to modulate host metabolism for its benefit. Discussed under this hypothesis, the new data reported here seem to indicate that there is an increase in the mobilization of the amino acids studied in mice kidney to provide Ehrlich tumour cells with sources of nitrogen (asparagine and glutamine) which they consume avidly.