Effect of a new amino acid solution on nutritional status and nitrogen metabolism in rats with chronic renal failure undergoing hyperalimentation

We studied the effects of the new amino acid solution MRX-III on the nutrit ional status and nitrogen metabolism of rats with chronic renal failure (CR F) in comparison with those of a general amino acid solution (MPR-F). The e ssential amino acids/non-essential amino acids ratio was 3.21 for MRX-III a nd 1.09 for MPR-F. Rats with CRF, induced by 7/8 renal ablation, were divid ed into 6 groups of 8 rats each receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN) containing MRX-III or MPR-F at a non-protein calorie/nitrogen ratio (Cal/N) of 300, 600 or 900 for 7 d. The rats were infused with test solutions cont aining the same amounts of non-protein calories. The cumulative nitrogen ba lance, as a nutritional index, in the MRX-III group was significantly highe r than that in the MPR-F group at the Cal/N of 600 or 900, and the plasma a lbumin level at the Cal/N of 300. The plasma transferrin levels at the Cal/ N of 900 in the MRX-III groups were significantly higher than those in the corresponding MPR-F groups. At all Cal/N, the MRX-III groups showed low lev els of blood urea nitrogen and urinary excretion of ammonia and urea nitrog en as compared with the MPR-F groups at the same Cal/N. The plasma amino ac id concentration profiles in the MRX-III groups after TPN showed greater si milarity to that in the Normal group as compared with the profiles in the c orresponding MPR-F groups. No aggravation of renal failure was observed in any TPN groups during TPN. These results indicate that, in rats with CRF un dergoing hyperalimentation, the effects of MRX-III on the nutritional statu s and nitrogen metabolism are superior to those of the general amino acid s olution, MPR-F. It is suggested that MRX-III could safely provide adequate amounts of nitrogen during hyperalimentation.