[The role of proteins and amino acids in acute phase response]

The acute phase response after severe trauma leads to the major changes in synthesis and levels of plasma proteins. Activation of humoral cascade system and activity of phagocytes accelerates healing. In the prospective study the levels of serum total proteins and albumin in relation to acute phase proteins, fibrinogen and CRP were measured in the group of 34 severe traumatized patients, age 31.21 +/- 1.52 yrs submitted to the standardized ICU treatment. An increase in the levels of serum total protein from 51.07 to 52.53 g/l was registered during the first week. The levels of albumin were below 30 g/l for most of the patients during the entire two-week examination. The initial levels of albumin were 26.40 +/- 6.13 g/l and at the end of the examination 29.60 +/- 2.97 g/l (p = 0.008). The levels of fibrinogen showed the increase to 5.93 g/l during the entire examination. The rapid increase in the levels of CRP from 5 mg/l to 169.67 mg/l 48 hours after trauma and were still high at the end of examination 45 mg/l. That implies the activity of inflammatory mediators. The role and supplement of certain amino acids in maintaining the integrity of intestinal mucosa and immune system during the acute response to stress is discussed.