Thermogenic and metabolic response to amino acid solution in brain-dead patients.
BACKGROUND
There is a strong correlation between amino acid infusion and increase in energy expenditure and thermogenesis. In this study, the effects of amino acid solutions on thermogenesis and energy expenditure were investigated in intensive care patients who were diagnosed as brain death.


METHODS
Twenty-six brain-dead patients were included in the study. The patients received a 4 h infusion of standard amino acid solution. Energy expenditure was measured by indirect calorimetric method. ANOVA and Bonferroni tests were used for statistical analysis.


RESULTS
The predicted energy expenditure (PEE) values were higher than the resting energy expenditure (REE) values in 24 patients. The mean REE/PEE value in all patients indicated that there was a 29% decrease in REE when compared to PEE. Body temperature and energy expenditure values were not increased during the parenteral infusion of amino acid solutions. There was no statistically significant difference between mean metabolic measurements and basal values at any time interval during the study period.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that the stimulatory effect of amino acid solution on energy expenditure and thermogenesis is abolished in brain-dead patients. This result may indicate a possible central pathway responsible for the increase in energy expenditure and thermogenesis.
Cankayali
Ilkin
I
Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Unit, Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey. ilkin.cankayali@ege.edu.tr
Demirağ
Kubilay
K
Kocabaş
Seden
S
Moral
Ali Reşat
AR
D000328:Adult; D000596:Amino Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001926:Brain Death / Q000378:metabolism*; D002153:Calorimetry, Indirect; D003422:Critical Care; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007263:Infusions, Parenteral; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D022722:Thermogenesis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology
D000596:Amino Acids