THE EFFECT OF ORAL PROTEIN AND GLUCOSE FEEDING ON SPLANCHNIC BLOOD FLOW AND OXYGEN UTILIZATION IN NORMAL AND CIRRHOTIC SUBJECTS 12

Abstract

Using hepatic vein catheterization and the BSP method (Fick Principle) for determination of splanchnic blood flow and splanchnic O2 utilization, a study of the effects of oral protein and glucose feeding on these parameters was made in normals and cirrhotics. Oral protein feedings cause a rise in splanchnic flow and O2 use, in both normal and cirrhotic subjects but the effect is of greater magnitude in the normal. Glucose has little if any effect on splanchnic flow and splanchnic O2 use. Icteric cirrhotics show a very low fasting A-HV O2 difference. This difference increases considerably following a protein meal but never reaches the levels of either the normal or non-jaundiced cirrhotic. Amino acid N levels of peripheral and hepatic vein blood are higher in cirrhotics after a protein meal than they are in normals. These data and corroborating evidence from the literature has lead the authors to the conclusion that perhaps optimum dietary management of hepatic cirrhosis should aim at maintaining slight positive N balance with the main emphasis on large amounts of glucose.