IMPROVEMENT OF ACTIVE LIVER CIRRHOSIS IN PATIENTS MAINTAINED WITH AMINO ACIDS INTRAVENOUSLY AS THE SOURCE OF PROTEIN AND LIPOTROPIC SUBSTANCES 12

Abstract

Four patients with active cirrhosis of the liver were given a protein hydrolysate intraven. for from 2 to 4 weeks as the sole source of N. The amino acid soln, when infused in adequate quantity (50-100 g. amino acids daily), permitted each of the patients to achieve a positive N balance which was not associated with azotemia or hyperaminoacidemia. There was a loss into the urine of from 3 to 23% of the alpha amino N admd.[long dash]similar losses were previously noted in normals. Improvement in the liver disease was observed in all the patients. Improvement in liver function tests and physical findings was even observed in one patient who received insufficient amino acids and was in negative N balance for 3 weeks. It is concluded that intraven. admd. amino acids were well tolerated by these patients with severe liver disease, were metabolized and excreted in a manner differing little from normal, and permitted clinical improvement although admd, as the sole source of N and of lipotropic substance.