[Effects of ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate on the nutritional state of intensive-care patients]

Alpha ketoglutarate d'ornithine effects on the nutritional status of patients in an Intensive Care Unit are studied. The authors have chosen a random sample of 44 patients with diseases of comparable severity for paired comparison. Treatment is applied at a dosage of 25 g per day with intravenous nutrition and/or oral feeding (150 Kcal/g of excreted nitrogen). Statistical analysis shows a significant improvement of nitrogen balance and prealbumine level, non significant changes for the other criteria. Alpha ketoglutarate of ornithine influences favorably nitrogen balance, prealbumine levels and the nutritional status.