Influence of dietary intake on alpha-2-macroglobulin and other biochemical parameters in healthy thai males

Abstract

In a 24 hour recall survey the dietary intake of protein, fat and carbohydrate of 30 healthy Thai males was investigated. Total energy intake was measured to be between 3000 to 4000 kcal/day. Eighty percent of the energy intake was in the form of carbohydrate. Less than 10% of energy was attributed to fat and between 10% to 12% to protein. Dietary intake did not correlate to weight and the Quetelet index (kg/m2), but protein and fat significantly determined the variation of the proteinase inhibitor α2-macroglobulin (α2M) in blood. α2M in turn significantly correlated with weight, the Quetelet index and albumin. Weight correlated significantly with cholesterol. The variation of α2M and cholesterol was age dependent. The results suggest that α2M may be part of a central mechanism which has an influence on the nutritional status. © 1991 Pergamon Press plc. All righs reserved.