The effect of tricaprylin emulsion on protein turnover in scald burn rats

Recently, the beneficial effects of administration of medium chain triglyceride (MCT), such as rapid oxidation and the efficient nitrogen sparing effect under severe stress, have been reported by many investigators. This experiment was designed to evaluate the effect of tricarpylin ++ on protein metabolism in comparison with long chain triglycerides (LCTs). Male Wistar rats weighing about 200g received scald burns on 25% of their body surface area and were given total parenteral nutrition (TPN) (228kcal/kg/day, 1.8g/kg/day of nitrogen) for 3 days. For the tricarpylin and the LCT groups, 50% of nonprotein calorie (NPC) was supplied with each lipid emulsion, and for the control group NPC was supplied with glucose alone. After TPN, the rate of protein turnover was measured by the method of Picou and Taylor-Roberts. Nitrogen balance, ketone bodies, albumin, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), and glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) were also measured. The daily nitrogen balance was significantly more improved in the tricaprylin group than in the LCT and control groups. The rate of protein synthesis was higher than the rate of protein breakdown in the tricaprylin group. There was no significant difference in blood ketone bodies among the three groups. GOT and GPT levels increased in the LCT and the control groups but remained within the normal range in the tricaprylin group. There was no significant difference in blood ketone bodies among the three groups. GOT and GPT levels increased in the LCT and the control groups but remained within the normal range in the tricaprylin group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)