[The level of the plasma proteins transferrin, retinol-binding protein and prealbumin in the postoperative parenteral feeding by administration of varying amounts of amino acids]

Abstract

38 adult patients of a surgical intensive care ward received differently large amounts of amino acids during the course of postoperative parenteral nutrition. The dose of amino acids was adapted to the preoperative nutritional condition of the patient. Changes in the serum levels of retinol-binding protein, prealbumin and transferrin were registered as well as changes in total protein and nitrogen balance up to a maximum of 10 postoperative days. Depending upon the amount of administered amino acids, the values for transferrin and nitrogen balance had changed more significantly than those of serum concentrations of retinol-binding protein and of prealbumin.