Rapid enzymic micromethod for the quantitative determination of L(+)alanine in blood and urine

A micromethod for the quantitative determination of L-alanine in blood and urine is described. No interference of D-alanine, D-cysteine, L-proline, L-glutamine, L-valine, L-histidine or glycine in concentrations up to 5 mmol/l was found. Using this method fasting blood levels of L-alanine in children were determined. Defects in gluconeogenesis can be easily established by measuring with this method the in vivo L-alanine metabolism in an oral, or intravenous L-alanine loading test.