Studies in the use of the intraperitoneal route for parenteral nutrition in the rat

The effects of intraperitoneal administration of normal saline, dextrose, and amino acids were studied in a rat model for intraperitoneal alimentation. No adverse effects from the use of placement of an intraperitoneal catheter were found. Animals who received amino acids demonstrated a specific metabolic advantage over animals who received isocaloric amounts of carbohydrate. They lost less weight and maintained a higher serum albumin. The intraperitoneal route may provide a relatively simple and efficient method of studying parenteral nutrition in laboratory animals. Conceivably, it may also be of value for humans who are on chronic ambulatory peritoneal dialysis, or even as an alternative for central venous alimentation.