[Parenteral application of maltose in diabetic patients and controls]

Maltose (10% solution) was infused continuously over 2 h (0,25 g/kg BW/h) in maturity onset diabetics (n=9) and in non-diabetic patients (n=9) serving as controls. During and after infusion changes of parameters measured (blood glucose, IRI, FFA, lactate, pyruvate, uric acid, acid-base status, ketone bodies) were minimal. A significant rise in blood-glucose was observed only in non-diabetics. Serum maltose concentrations increased continuously up to 150 mg/100 ml during infusion and were nearly identical in both groups. Post infusion serum maltose decreased slowing during 7h and urinary maltose excretion was found for 18 h. During the first 3 h controls excreted 4% of infused maltose (1.3% as maltose and 2.7% as glucose). In diabetics excretion of carbohydrates was higher and more variable: 14(1.1-35.9) %. The slight metabolic changes, especially in diabetics and the possibility of supplying more calories are favorable effects of parenteral maltose. However slow elimination and increasing urinary losses depending on dosage and conditions of i.v. maltose application account for the limited utilization of the disaccharide in men. Unless further investigations will have been done maltose cannot be recommended as a sole substitute for carbohydrate in parenteral nutrition.