title: The effect of pre-operative glucose loading on postoperative nitrogen metabolism.
abstract: The nitrogen sparing effect of glucose loading at either 1 mg kg-1 min-1 or 5 mg kg-1 min-1 from the evening before surgery was compared with similar glucose infusions commenced after elective surgery. Thirty-two patients undergoing abdominal surgery of moderate severity were studied. Glucose at 5 mg kg-1 min-1 reduced urea excretion compared with glucose at 1 mg kg-1 min-1. The timing of the carbohydrate infusion was not critical in altering the overall extent of the protein sparing at either rate. High dose glucose infusions markedly reduced overall urea and 3-methylhistidine excretion. This implies a reduction in protein breakdown. A pre-operative high dose infusion of glucose may in particular improve protein synthesis for the first 24 h after surgery.
mesh_terms: D000005:Abdomen / Q000601:surgery; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D003404:Creatinine / Q000652:urine; D005260:Female; D005947:Glucose / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008762:Methylhistidines / Q000652:urine; D008875:Middle Aged; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000378:metabolism*; D010288:Parenteral Nutrition; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011300:Preoperative Care; D013997:Time Factors; D014508:Urea / Q000652:urine
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D008762:Methylhistidines; D014508:Urea; D003404:Creatinine; D005947:Glucose; C028118:3-methylhistidine; D009584:Nitrogen