[Correction of amino acid imbalances as adjuvant therapy in septic peritonitis].

A prospective and randomized study was performed in 18 patients with septic peritonitis to investigate the behavior of free amino acids in serum before and during parenteral nutrition with 2 different amino acid solutions. One group received a so called "liver-solution" with 45% branched chain amino acids and reduced aromatic and sulphur-containing amino acids, the other group a conventional solution with 10,5% branched chain amino acids. Amino acid imbalances typically in sepsis--elevation of aromatic and sulphur-containing amino acids as well as alanine and proline, normal or decreased branched chain amino acids--could be observed only to some extend, because the influence of preceding operative trauma was overlapping. However, with conventional parenteral nutrition these imbalances then became clearly apparent. On the other hand, in patients treated with the special amino acid solution nearly complete normalization of amino acid levels took place. This effect was mainly due to the increased supplementation of branched chain amino acids positively influencing protein metabolism, and less produced by the changes in amino acid proportions supplied. Clinically these patients also had a clear improvement of consciousness status. The positive effect of such balanced solution on amino acid metabolism and mental situation of septic patients could be confirmed. Their use in septic peritonitis during necessary parenteral nutrition as an adjunctive treatment therefore seems to be efficient.