Alpha-2-macroglobulin, 3-methylhistidine and other biochemical parameters in healthy thai males

Abstract

Anthropometry, blood pressure, 3-methylhistidine (3MH) excretion, alpha 2 -macroglobulin (α 2 M), additional serum proteins and various biochemical variables were investigated in twenty pairs of age-matched healthy Thai males from the urban and rural sector. No differences were observed between both groups for most of the variables tested. However, when the variables were correlated with each other within the groups, 3MH excretion showed a negative correlation to the nutritional status, as indicated by the Quetelet index, in males from the rural sector. The proteinase inhibitor (Pi) α 2 M, correlated negatively to some extent with the Quetelet index in rural males. For the males from Bangkok this correlation was statistically significant. A positive correlation of α 2 M with 3MH excretion per kg body weight was observed in the rural males. In the urban males α 2 M with 3MH excretion per kg body weight was statistically significant. Other correlations of variables tested are reported as tentative results. The findings agree with those of similar studies undertaken in children and were interpreted as part of an adaptation process where the Pi α 2 M directly or indirectly inhibit muscle catabolism, as indicated by 3MH excretion. © 1989 Pergamon Press plc.