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M Savioli

Publications and source records attributed to M Savioli.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

[Determination of the best amino acid input after orthotopic liver transplantation].

Ten-three patients were investigated during the early postoperative phase after orthotopic liver transplantation to assess the adequacy of the amino acid (AA) supply during both parenteral (days 1-5) and enteral (days 6-9) nutrition. Plasma AA profile was determined preoperatively, on day 4 and 5 during TPN and on day 8 and 9 during EN, urea production rate was measured every day. Calories input was 28 kcal.kg-.day as glucose, nitrogen intake was 0.25 g.kg- day, supplying individual AA on the basis of previous studies. Urea nitrogen production during TPN (9-11 gN/m2.day) outlines the ability of the transplanted liver to manage the overall nitrogen load. Individual AA plasma profile was considered the expression of an adequate input when comprised between 1 and 1.5 times the normal value, in this respect we obtained adequate levels of all essential AAs. Particularly phenylalanine, methionine and branched chain AA, critical during liver failure, were kept in this range by supplying 68, 48 and 500 mg.kg-1.day. According to AA profile the supply of cystine and tyrosine (conditionally essential AAs), and of histidine, taurine, proline and serine could be safely increased. Not given dispensable AAs (glutamine, asparagine, citrulline and alfa amino butyric) showed a plasma level below the norm and should be added to the diet.

Adolescent

Basal energy production rate and substrate use in stable cirrhotic patients.

The basal energy production rate was measured using indirect calorimetry in 25 stable cirrhotic patients and 10 controls of comparable age. The endogenous substrate oxidation was also calculated by measuring urinary nitrogen excretion. The energy production rate was similar in cirrhotic patients and controls. The origins of liver disease and the degree of liver damage did not seem to influence the energy production rate. On the other hand, in cirrhotic patients, as in controls, a significant correlation was present between the energy production rate and parameters of body size, such as body weight and fat-free mass. As a consequence, cirrhotic patients with poor nutritional status, with a reduced fat-free mass, showed a lower energy production rate. The measured energy production rate was compared with the resting energy expenditure estimated by formulas commonly used in healthy individuals. The good agreement found between the measured energy production rate and calculated energy expenditure suggests that these formulas may be applied to stable cirrhotic patients in clinical practice. In cirrhotic patients, the oxidation of endogenous fat is the main contributor to basal energy production rate. The fat oxidation rate does not appear to be influenced by the hormonal pattern found in the cirrhotic patients. However, a significant correlation was present between fat oxidation and plasma free fatty acid levels. This confirms that the prevalent fat use in cirrhotic patients is supported by the greater availability of fat-derived substrates.

Blood Glucose

[Changes in the plasma amino acid profile in critically ill patients during total parenteral therapy].

The aim of this study was to evaluate the kinetics of arterial plasma amino acid profile during the first 48 h of clinical TPN in order to assess the time necessary to reach the steady-state condition during infusion. Each patient was treated with one of three different amino acid solutions yielding, in the same nitrogen intake, different intakes of individual amino acids. We found four different kinetics for the administered amino acids: an increase of plasma levels immediately after the start of the TPN with no variations during the steady period; the same trend with the steady-state obtained after 6-24 h of TPN infusion; no influence at all; a decrease of fasting plasma levels with the steady-state attained variably during the study period. Each given amino acid showed a different trend partly depending on the supply, suggesting that the steady-state was reached sooner for most amino acids, when the supply was larger. With lower intakes, plasma levels were unaffected or decreased. We conclude that in critically ill patients at least 24 h are needed to obtain stable arterial plasma amino acid concentration during TPN with adequate intakes of amino acid. Knowledge offers the possibility for a quick and accurate assessment of the adequacy of a given preparation (tailored for critically ill patients), it reduces the time span of the study and, as a consequence, the influence of varied metabolic conditions.

Adolescent