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[Plasma aminogram in critical patients]
1Servicio de Farmacia, Hospital San Millán-San Pedro, Logroño, España.
Nutricion Hospitalaria
|February 1, 1993
Summary
Patients with metabolic stress and/or sepsis show altered plasma amino acid profiles, particularly increased aromatic amino acids and reduced branched-chain to aromatic amino acid ratios. These findings confirm established patterns in critical illness.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Clinical Nutrition
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- Metabolic stress and sepsis significantly impact patient physiology.
- Understanding plasma amino acid profiles is crucial for managing critically ill patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the plasma amino acid profile in patients experiencing moderate to high levels of stress and/or sepsis.
- To characterize alterations in essential and non-essential amino acids and their ratios.
Main Methods:
- Plasma samples from 35 critically ill patients were analyzed using High-Resolution Liquid Chromatography.
- Amino acid concentrations were quantified during standard amino acid solution infusion.
- Patient illness severity was assessed using the Simplified Acute Physiological Score (SAPS).
Main Results:
- Increased aromatic amino acids (phenylalanine) and sulfur-containing amino acids (methionine) were observed.
- Branched-chain amino acids (leucine, isoleucine) increased, but the branched-chain to aromatic amino acid ratio (RAA/AAA) decreased significantly (p < 0.0001).
- Key non-essential amino acids like glycine increased (p < 0.0001), while alanine, glutamine, glutamic acid, and arginine decreased.
Conclusions:
- The study confirms a distinct plasma amino acid profile characteristic of metabolic stress and sepsis.
- Specific amino acid alterations, including the reduced RAA/AAA ratio, highlight metabolic derangements in critical illness.
- These findings support the established understanding of amino acid metabolism during critical illness.