title: Body composition during long-term treatment of uremia with amino acid supplemented low-protein diet.
abstract: The influence on body composition of prolonged treatment with low-protein diet (20 g/day) supplemented with the essential amino acids and histidine was studied in 49 patients with chronic renal failure and uremic symptoms. Total body potassium (TBK) was measured with 40K in a whole-body counter. Total body water was determined with dilution of tritiated water. Predicted values for TBK and total body water were obtained from a reference population of 476 healthy subjects. In 38 patients investigated before treatment body weight was normal while mean TBK was 91% of predicted in men and 100% in women. Mean total body water was 104% of predicted in both men and women. Thirty-one patients were investigated at 3-month intervals during treatment for up to 12 months. No significant changes in mean body weight, TBK, or total body water were found. However, in 10/13 patients TBK decreased significantly, presumably due to increased catabolism in connection with intercurrent disease or insufficient energy intake. In the absence of complications long-term treatment with a low-protein diet and essential amino acids in renal failure seems to maintain body cell mass reflected in unchanged TBK.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000601:Amino Acids, Essential / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001823:Body Composition; D001827:Body Height; D001834:Body Water / Q000378:metabolism; D001835:Body Weight; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011188:Potassium / Q000378:metabolism; D014508:Urea / Q000097:blood; D014511:Uremia / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000601:Amino Acids, Essential; D004044:Dietary Proteins; D014508:Urea; D003404:Creatinine; D011188:Potassium