Whole-Body Protein Turnover before and after Resection of Colorectal Tumours

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Abstract
The rates of whole-body N flux, protein synthesis and protein breakdown were measured in patients with colorectal cancer (Dukes [classification] A-C) just before and 12 wk after surgical removal of the tumor. The rates were determined from the urinary excretion of 15N in ammonia and in urea over a 9-h period after an oral dose of [15N]glycine. The food intake during the 2 study days was identical for individual patients. The amount each received was determined from measurement of their intake of food ad lib on the day preceding the preoperative study and was consumed in 6 equal portions every 2 h during the experimental period. No significant differences in the rates of N flux, protein synthesis and protein breakdown were found before and after tumor resection, whether calculated from the excretion of 15N in ammonia or in urea. Some changes in flux, increases and decreases, were observed in individual patients after tumor removal; these could not be related to classification of the tumor or to the presence of preoperative anorexia or weight loss. The primary tumor itself apparently does not alter the overall rate of protein metabolism in the whole body.

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