Control of nitrogen catabolism in trauma: results achieved with glucose, insulin and essential amino acids ; Controllo del catabolismo azotato da trauma: risultati ottenuti con glucosio, insulina e aminoacidi essenziali

The authors defined in 5 patients with severe multiple trauma the caloric and nitrogen consumption at BMR and during parenteral nutrition. They showed the lowering of the daily catabolic nitrogen production from 0.43 to 0.20-0.25 g/kg/day achieved by infusion of glucose in doses rising to 130% of the patient's requirement and of insulin in doses ranging from 9 to 11 UI/kg/day. The need of reintegrating protein stores was satisfied by infusion of essential 1 amino acids; the recommended dose of α amino nitrogen is 0.20-0.35 g/kg/day, with a caloric intake greater, at least, than 80% of the patient's requirement.