IN-VIVO INTER-ORGAN PROTEIN-METABOLISM OF THE SPLANCHNIC REGION AND MUSCLE DURING TRAUMA, CANCER AND ENTERAL NUTRITION

The study of protein kinetics has entered a new era by the recognition that whole body protein turnover only poorly reflects the true events occurring in several organs and with regard to the multitude of prote ins present in the body. It is also increasingly recognized that the s imultaneous synthesis and degradation of proteins is important in regu lation and adaptation during several metabolic conditions like starvat ion, feeding, after trauma, and during exercise. Especially important is the recognition that the kinetics of individual proteins may change in opposite directions, thereby leading to fluxes of alpha-amino-nitr ogen that serve to adapt to and survive a changing environment. At pre sent, much emphasis is put upon molecular biological regulation. Howev er, it is important that the metabolic processes that occur in the int act organism are still poorly defined. New technology allows the explo ration of these processes, which should therefore prompt the initiatio n of further research in this area.