Background. The feasibility of simultaneously infusing glucose and amino ac
id (AA)-based peritoneal dialysis solutions was tested to determine whether
peritoneal dialysis patients could achieve an adequate nonprotein calorie/
nitrogen ratio while preventing a marked increase in blood urea nitrogen (B
UN), which is usually seen if the AAs are administered without glucose.
Methods. An automatic peritoneal dialysis cycler was used to infuse glucose
and AA solutions (3:1) simultaneously during the night. Eight infusions of
1000 mt m(2) of body surface area (BSA), with a 60 minute dwell time, were
performed in 10 children on peritoneal dialysis. The dialytic effluent was
analyzed at every exchange and totaled at eight hours to evaluate volume,
glucose, and AA concentration. Blood samples for plasma, glucose, insulin,
and free AA determination were drawn at the beginning of automated peritone
al dialysis (APD) session and at each instillation of peritoneal dialysate.
Results. The mean glucose absorption was 33.7 +/- 10.0% and the AA absorpti
on was 55.2 +/- 13.2% of the infused amount, and the ratio of nonprotein ca
lorie (derived from glucose) to nitrogen (derived from AA) was 115.4:1. The
insulin levels returned to normal only three hours after the beginning of
APD. The free Ah plasma levels were already increased two hours after dinne
r and remained high for the entire APD treatment because of the continuous
absorption of AA from the peritonium. The RUN levels did not increase despi
te the supply of AA.
Conclusions. This APD procedure may improve utilization of AA for protein s
ynthesis, as suggested by the lack of increase of the BUN levels with this
regimen.