title: Branched chain amino acid-enriched solutions in the septic patient. A randomized, prospective trial.
abstract: A prospective, randomized trial was undertaken to compare the nutritional efficacy in surgical stress of a standard amino acid solution and two branched chain-enriched amino acid solutions: one enriched primarily with valine, the other with leucine. The study comprised 37 patients in the surgical intensive care unit who received isocaloric, isonitrogenous parenteral nutrition started within 24 hours of the onset of major operation, injury, or sepsis. Nitrogen retention was marginally but statistically significantly better on days 5, 7, and 10 in both groups of patients receiving the branched chain-enriched solutions, but differences in cumulative nitrogen balance were not statistically significant. Amino acid composition appeared to be important in that the group receiving the leucine-enriched solution appeared to maintain hepatic protein synthesis better (as manifest by higher short-turnover plasma protein concentrations) and required less exogenous insulin to maintain euglycemia. Improved outcome was not seen in the groups receiving the branched chain-enriched solutions.
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Bower
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Muggia-Sullam
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vallgren
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Hurst
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Kern
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: LaFrance
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Fischer
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000597:Amino Acids, Branched-Chain / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000032:analysis; D010288:Parenteral Nutrition; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011897:Random Allocation; D018805:Sepsis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000032:analysis; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative
chemical_list: D000597:Amino Acids, Branched-Chain; D001798:Blood Proteins; D012709:Serum Albumin; D009584:Nitrogen