LIVER AMINO-ACIDS IN SEPSIS

  • 1 January 1985
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 97  (4) , 436-442
Abstract
The metabolic derangement of sepsis leads to changes of the plasma and muscle amino acid (AA) pattern. The influence of a septic process on liver AA pattern is investigated. In 7 patients with abdominal sepsis, liver AA concentrations were determined during surgery and compared with those of 4 patients who had undergone cholecystectomy. In sepsis lowered AA levels were found for most of the AAs. Outstanding decreases exhibited the levels of the gluconeogenetic AAs (especially Thr and Ala), the branched chain AAs, Lys and taurine. In the patients who did not survive the septic process, the depletion of these AAs was even amplified. Slightly increased AA levels were analyzed for p-ethanolamine, cystathionine, citrulline, .beta.-Ala, Tyr and Phe. Results indicate a disturbed free AA pattern of the septic liver. Despite the increased flux of gluconeogenetic AA from muscle to liver in sepsis, previously reported no accumulation of these AAs occurs in the liver.