Comparison of total parenteral nutrition with 25 per cent and 45 per cent branched chain amino acids in stressed patients

Administration of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) solutions high in branched chain amino acids (BCAA) is thought to improve metabolic support during stress. This prospective, randomized, double blind study compared 45 per cent BCAA with 25 per cent BCAA in 12 patients. Seven patients had multiple trauma; two, gastrointestinal surgery; one, pancreatitis; and two, cirrhosis. The TPN regimen was 1.0-1.5 gm/kg/day amino acids and 30-45 glucose kcal/kg/day. The BCAA formula used was high in isoleucine and valine, but not leucine. Amino acid plasma levels, blood chemistries, 3-methylhistidine excretion, and nitrogen balance were studied. Control studies showed negative nitrogen balance (-7.1 +/- 2.9 gm) (mean +/- SEM), elevated insulin (61 +/- 21 microunit/ml), and elevated 3-methylhistidine (3MH) excretion (688 +/- 309 micromol); plasma leucine (93 +/- 11 nmol/ml) and isoleucine (37 +/- 23) were low, and valine (155 +/- 20) was elevated. Plasma methionine (40 +/- 9) and tyrosine (70 +/- 12) were high normal. Phenylalanine (85 +/- 5) was elevated. Both groups showed increased nitrogen excretion and positive nitrogen balance during the study (25 per cent, 2.0 +/- 1.4 gm/day; 45 per cent, 1.2 +/- 2.6 gm/day). Three-methylhistidine excretion changed little in either group (557 +/- 149, 414 +/- 91), insulin rose (135 +/- 27, 65 +/- 19), and plasma leucine (82 +/- 4, 71 +/- 9) changed little. Plasma isoleucine (51 +/- 3, 155 +/- 16) and valine (173 +/- 11, 691 +/- 23) both rose, more in the 45 per cent group. Methionine (67 +/- 12, 37 +/- 4) and tyrosine (51 +/- 6, 50 +/- 10) changed little.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)