Journal article

Publication year: 1981

Pages: 797-802

Journal: Klinische Wochenschrift

Volume number: 59

Issue number: 14

ISSN: 0023-2173

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01724686

Publisher: Springer

Abstract: 
An alanine infusion (90 mg/kg per h) for 8 h was administered to 7 patients after cholecystectomy in order to investigate the influence of elevated plasma alanine levels on postoperative metabolism. The following metabolites and hormone concentrations were analyzed in plasma: glucose, urea, free fatty acids, ketone bodies, amino acids, insulin and glucagon. Compared to the pre-infusion values on the 1st postoperative day after an overnight fasting, the following changes were monitored. The plasma glucose concentrations reached a maximum after 4 h of infusion (P < 0.05). Of the amino acids, significant elevated levels were found for alanine (300%, P < 0.001), glutamine (36%, P < 0.05) and .alpha.-aminobutyrate (61%, P < 0.01). The free fatty acid and ketone body concentrations decreased immediately after the onset of the infusion of alanine (P < 0.05) and increased again during the last 4 h of infusion. The secretion of insulin and of glucagon was stimulated by the increased alanine levels. The stimulation of insulin reached a maximum after only 5 min but the glucagon levels increased continuously until the end of the infusion. During the administration of alanine a nitrogen homeostasis was achieved, which was a significant improvement (P < 0.001) when compared to saline infusions before and after the alanine infusion. Postoperative increased plasma levels of alanine apparently stimulate gluconeogenesis and reduce the plasma levels of lipolytic metabolites. The induced stimulation of insulin and glucagon is dependent on the duration of the alanine infusion for during extended infusion of alanine insulin secretion decreases while glucagon secretion continuously increases. Alanine is a potent anabolic substrate in the immediate postoperative situation.

Harvard Citation style: FUNOVICS, J., ROTH, E., MUHLBACHER, F., SCHULZ, F., KARNER, J., SCHULTIS, K., et al. (1981) ALANINE AS A NITROGEN SPARING AND GLUCONEOGENETIC SUBSTRATE IN THE POSTOPERATIVE STATE, KLINISCHE WOCHENSCHRIFT, 59(14), pp. 797-802. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01724686

APA Citation style: FUNOVICS, J., ROTH, E., MUHLBACHER, F., SCHULZ, F., KARNER, J., SCHULTIS, K., OGRIS, E., & FRITSCH, A. (1981). ALANINE AS A NITROGEN SPARING AND GLUCONEOGENETIC SUBSTRATE IN THE POSTOPERATIVE STATE. KLINISCHE WOCHENSCHRIFT. 59(14), 797-802. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01724686