Positive Nitrogen Balance after Intraperitoneal Administration of Amino Acids in 3 Patients

Abstract

To determine whether intraperitoneal (IP) administration of amino acids improves nitrogen balance during continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). Nitrogen balance studies of CAPD patients comparing periods of peritoneal dialysis using dialysate with nitrogen added from a commercial amino acid solution, versus standard dialysate. Clinical research center in a tertiary facility. Patients on CAPD who volunteered. One 4-day balance period was carried out with conventional dialysate and one 4-day period with conventional dialysate to which amino acids were added. The study periods were separated by a 3-day washout period. Nitrogen accumulation or loss during each period. The mean (SD) daily control period balances (grams per day) were 0.2, 1.9, and -3.4; during the amino acid period the balances were 5.4, 2.7, -0.7. The mean daily control effluent dialysate volumes (milliliters) were 11,350 +/- 443, 10,052 +/- 449, and 10,165 +/- 154; during the amino acid period the volumes were 10,345 +/- 50, 12,325 +/- 1021, and 10,220 +/- 655. The IP addition of amino acids diminishes the amount of nitrogen lost from dialysate while maintaining effluent dialysate volume. Nitrogen balances improved in all 3 patients during the period with IP amino acids, compared to control.