Effect of intravenous near isosmotic nutrient infusions on nitrogen balance in critically ill injured patients.

Hypocaloric near isosmotic infusions of crystalline amino acids have the same effect on nitrogen balance as do equal caloric infusions of glucose in burned patients with and without bacteremia. The effects of the two substrates on balance appeared equal and additive. Infusion of a 10 per cent soybean oil emulsion was indistinguishable from low dosage glucose when administered with amino acids. Near isosmotic hypocaloric diets containing glucose and amino acids significantly diminish nitrogen loss in severely burned patients. A combination of both substrates in the infusate is to be preferred.