Whole body protein synthesis and catabolism in septic man

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The protein catabolic response to sepsis has been measured in three patients and in two normal subjects using a pulse injection of L-[15N]alanine. In addition, the urea kinetics were measured using a pulse administration of [15N]urea. Several nitrogen models which simulated the metabolic pathways of nitrogen-labeled compounds were tried. Best curve fits and acceptable confidence limits were obtained with a four-pool model containing two metabolic pools and two urea pools. Using this model, synthesis and catabolism rates were calculated for a fast and slow protein turnover pool. The mean daily total protein synthesis rate in the normal was 3.695 g/kg compared to 4.479 g/kg in sepsis. Because all subjects were in negative nitrogen balance, the mean total protein catabolic rate in the normal was 4.379 g/kg, compared to 5.298 g/kg in sepsis. These data suggest an increase in both protein synthesis and catabolism during sepsis.

This publication has 3 references indexed in Scilit: