[Studies on organ-related postoperative utilization of administered amino acids]

The exclusive postoperative supply of carbohydrates resulted in a significant improvement (24%) of cumulative nitrogen balance, because increased insulin production apparently caused augmented recycling of amino acids liberated during catabolism. Through addition of amino acids the decreased branched chain amino acids returned to normal levels, whereas the significant fall in plasma proteins with short half-life remained unchanged. Therefore it is assumed that the available amino acids (64% of supply) have predominantly anabolic functions in peripheral tissues and fewer are used to synthesize plasma proteins in the liver.