The metabolic status of internal intensive care patients as indicated by 3-methylhistidine excretion and nitrogen balance.
The metabolic status of 15 intensive care patients receiving a standardized total parenteral nutrition regimen was followed up to 15 days immediately after admission by measuring 3-methylhistidine, total nitrogen, and creatinine excretion. The average 3-methylhistidine excretion was within the normal range during the first 3 days, rising on day 4 and reached a maximum of 70% above normal values on day 5. It declined to within normal range thereafter in most of the patients. Mean values for creatinine excretion remained relatively constant within the normal range throughout the study. During all days 3-methylhistidine was negatively correlated with N-balance. It is concluded that these patients had increasing catabolism with a maximum on day 5 and that the catabolic condition was associated with an increased muscle protein breakdown.
Neuhäuser
M
M
II. Medical Department, Faculty of Medicine, Johannes Gutenberg University, Saarstr. 19, D-6500 Mainz, FRG.
Weilemann
L S
LS
Bässler
K H
KH