Citrulline increases arginine pools and restores nitrogen balance after massive intestinal resection

• DOI: 10.1136/gut.2004.042317
• Publication Date: 2004-11-12T02:48:21Z
• Authors: S Osowska
• Keywords: Enteral administration

Arginine supplementation seems logical in situations where this amino acid becomes essential, for example after massive intestinal resection. is taken up and metabolised by the liver to a large extent its potentially unsafe. Citrulline not captured passes freely kidneys it arginine, so good candidate generate arginine thereby improve nutritional status.Twenty four rats were assigned groups: citrulline, control, sham. The sham group underwent transection three other groups resection of 80% small intestine. All fed enteral nutrition composition was as follows: with citrulline group, standard polymeric control groups. received isonitrogenous intakes equimolar their respective After 10 days, sacrificed.Arginine concentration higher (p<0.05) plasma muscle than Plasma levels 110 (12), 79 (7), 167 (22), 228 (13) mumol/l sham, respectively. concentrations gastrocnemius were: 0.15 (0.02), 0.16 0.40 (0.05), 0.94 (0.20) mumol/g, preserved nitrogen balance resected but supplemented (mean J10: 2.27 (0.29), 1.67 (0.15), 1.98 2.43 (0.41) g/24 hours groups, respectively).Supplementing diet very efficient means increasing improving results study form strong rationale these patients.