Evening star., 1954-12-06
Asporogine Is Studied
AS an Aid in Epilepsy
Acid Found in Vegetables
Moy Be d Potent Drug
By Thomos R. Henry

Asparaglne, an acid found most
abundantly in asparagus and sparingly
in a few other vegetables may be
potent drug in Alleviating the dreaded
convulSive and hitherto largely incur
able brain disease, epilepsy.
This is indicated in experiments now
being conducted at the clinical center
of the National Institutes Of Health,
according to DR.. w. H. Sebrell, jr., di-
rector of the Institutes.
The finding developed from studies
by DR.. D. B. Tower which indicated
that certain brain tissue in epileptics
is unable to retain one of the amino
acids. glutamie acid. This substance
the cells, to their energy supply. and
their utilization of the essential ele-
inent potassium. DR.. Tower produced
the same condition in experimental
animals and then was able to alleviate
it by giving in large doses glutamine, a
form of glutamic acid, or the quite
closely related asparagine. Neither. it
was found, has any effect on normal
brain tissue.
On this basis, DR.. Sebrell said. studies
now are being conducted on patients
with intractable seizures. Some are
given either glutamine or aSparagine
directly into the blood stream Others
are given quite large daily doses of
asparagine by mouth.
Improvement Noted.
"With both approaches" DR.. Sebrell
says, Significant Improvement has been
noted. During prolonged asparagine
dosage definitely fewer seizures have
occurred in several cases. But this in
no sense implies cure. If asparagine
or glutamine prove in further trials to
be of practical value regular and per-
manent dosage probably will be neces-
sary."
Another. apparent close relation be-
tween nutrition and health, DR.. Sebrell
says, relates to one of the vitaminS,
pantothenic acid, found in minute
amounts in very large variety Of food
and required only in very small doses.
1t becomes a part of one the engines
which controls the use of oxygen by
body cells
1t now has been shown, he said, that
pantothenic acid deficiency in expert
mental animals results in LESSONS of the
nervous system. Another notable result
is premature graying of the hair and
has been called the gray hair Vitamin."
Actually, however. normal graying with
age probably is due to a combination of
factors. It now appears that panto-.
thenic deficiency results in impaired
production of certain types of blood
rails ond IN coy,an dctorioro tio,, of rho
adrenal gland cortex. source of corti-
some and several other hormones.
Ordinarily the cortex is stimulated
to produce these hormones by ACTH,
hormones secreted from the pituitary
gland; which often is considered an
adequate substitute for cortisone. But
where there is a pantothenic deficiency,
the animal experiments show, the ad-
renals are seriously injured by admins
tration of the pituitary hormone.
Reactions to Extreme Stress.
The functions of pantothenic acid in
man, DR.. Sebrell said remain to be
determined although it is quite likely
THAT they are similar to those in ami
mails. Recent studies indicate that it
plays an important part in reactions
to extreme stress. In large doses, it has
been reported, it has notable effects on
men who are voluntarily immersed in
ice-cold water.
Another notable finding, DR.. Sebrell
pointed out. is the relation of one of
the B vitamins, pyridoxine, to the
neuritis which follows use of the new
tuberculosis remedy, isoniazid. This
drug is structurally related to the B
vitamin group.
Out of 36 control patients that re-
ceived the tuberculosis drug, Ia devel-
oped neuritis. None developed the ner-
vous ailment over period of ten weeks
when they also were given the vitamin.