Metabolic and Immune Effects of Arginine in Postinjury Hyperalimentation

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Abstract
Nitrogen balance and thymic immune function studies were carried out in rats subjected to anesthesia, jugular vein catheterization, and bilateral femoral fractures, who were then given for 5 days: A) D5W; B) D20 FreAmine II (total arginine 1.55 gm/L); or C) D20 FreAmine III (4.05 gm of arginine/L). Administration of hypercaloric amino acid mixtures had strong positive effects on nitrogen retention and thymic function when compared to isotonic dextrose infusion. The administration of solution C had the most positive effect on nitrogen balance and on thymic immune function. The data suggest that increased arginine administration may prove beneficial to injured patients.