Free amino acids in plasma in the post-traumatic period.

The pattern of the amino acids in plasma of 22 polytraumatized patients who obtained a standardized total parenteral nutrition over a period of 3-10 days was studied. Following to the trauma - before the infusion period - a rapid decrease of concentration of a part of the amino acids appeared. During the period of parenteral nutrition nearly all of the amino acids showed a different increase in plasma, partly manifold over their normal range which resulted in a disturbance of the pattern of the amino acids. Particularly the influence of the infusion therapy on the sulfur-containing amino acids, the branched-chain amino acids and the glycine level in plasma is discussed.