Clinical Chemistry, Vol 6, 115-121, Copyright © 1960 by the American Association for Clinical Chemistry

Nitrogen Balance Studies on Patients Infused with Protein Hydrolysate Containing Varying Amounts of Glucose

¹ Department of Pathology, Providence Hospital, Detroit, Mich.

Fifty-two postoperative adult patients were given varying amounts of intravenous glucose simultaneously with a constant quantity of protein hydrolysate and a constant caloric intake. The glucose concentration in the hydrolysate varied from 0-25 per cent. There was a marked increase in nitrogen retention in all the groups receiving glucose with the protein hydrolysate as compared to the group receiving no glucose with the protein hydrolysate. The nitrogen retention in patients receiving 1.25% glucose in the hydrolysate was as satisfactory as that obtained using 7.5% glucose. Dividing the protein-glucose mixture into morning and afternoon infusions appears to be of some benefit in increasing nitrogen retention.