Clearance of maltose administered at different infusion rates

Maltose is a disaccharide consisting of 2 molecules of d-glucose which at 10% solution is isotonic with plasma but provides a caloric supply double than glucose. Its possible use in total parenteral nutrition was investigated. Two homogeneous groups of patients were infused during a 2-hour period with a 10% maltose solution at 0.2 g/kg/h and at 0.4 g/kg/h flow rate. The data collected during and at the end of infusion demonstrate that: 1) the major metabolic parameters do not undergo significant alterations after maltose infusion; 2) the infusion at 0.4/kg/h causes an osmotic diuresis that does not significantly affect the water-electrolyte balance of the patients. Nevertheless it is not possible to exclude that this condition may lead to negative side-effects in critical patients; 3) the urinary excretion of maltose and glucose is significantly higher in the group of patients with 0.4 g/kg/h infusion rate.