[Biokinetic characterization of human glycerin utilization]

23 patients received controlled infusions of 10% glycerol solution using an "Infusomat". During various rates of infusion biokinetic parameters and renal excretion were measured. The concentration of glycerol in the serum rises over-proportional with increasing rates of infusion. The extrapolated maximal metabolic turnover capacity is 54 micronmol.kg-1.min-1. Halb-maximal turnover rate is reached at a serum level of 0,56 micronmol.ml-1. After an infusion of 0,3 g.kg-1.min-1 glycerol disappears from the blood with an elimination constant of 0,024 min-1 and a half life of 28,9 minutes. Renal excretion increases with the dose but remains below 10% of the dose in the investigated range. From the data it can be concluded that glycerol cannot be applicated in higher doses than other polyols. No adverse reactions have been observed in the range up to 0,3 g.kg-1.min-1.