Infusion of amino acids decreases the hyperglycaemic effect of per- and postoperative glucose infusion: an experimental study in the rabbit.

The effects on blood glucose concentration of 10% glucose with amino acid solution at low (18%) and high (25%) concentration of branched chain amino acids were studied, two days after laparotomy in fasted rabbits. During the whole study period, saline infusion was associated with normoglycaemia. Among the other infusion combinations peroperative infusion of amino acid solution high in branched chain amino acids with 10% glucose was the least hyperglycaemic. An amino acid solution low in branched chain amino acids with 10% glucose had the lowest hyperglycaemic effect 24 hours postoperatively. After 48 hours an infusion of 10% glucose produced the weakest hyperglycaemia. In preoperatively and 24 hours postoperatively 10% glucose was more hyperglycaemic than 10% glucose with the two amino acid solutions. After 24 and 48 hours, infusion of 10% glucose with amino acids high in branched chain amino acids was more hyperglycaemic than 10% glucose with amino acids low in branched chain amino acids.