Effect of injury and sepsis on high-energy phosphates in muscle and red cells.

Changes in muscle high-energy phosphates in varying degrees of resting hypermetabolism were studied. Eleven patients were investigated before and 4 days after total hip replacement. The postoperative results were compared with those seen in major traumas and sepsis. High-energy phosphates were not significantly changed in muscle after total hip replacement or moderate injury; muscle lactate and pyruvate increased. Increased degrees of hypermetabolism such as severe trauma and sepsis were associated with reduction of muscle ATP and PC; AMP, free CR, lactate, and pyruvate rose. Simultaneously determined levels of high-energy phosphates in red blood cells did not reflect muscle changes, confirming the need for continued direct tissue measurements. Alterations in the ATP--ADP--AMP system in the muscle cell suggest a low-energy charge following severe trauma especially if accompanied by sepsis. This would indicate a decreased capcity for biosynthetic reactions and production of storage compounds. Tissue high-energy phosphates and cellular energy levels thus may be the cellular expression of the catabolic state.