Intraperitoneal nutrition

Abstract

Provision of nutrients through the peritoneum is as old as peritoneal dialysis (PD) itself. Studies with a shelf-stable amino acid-based dialysis solution have shown that the amino acids absorbed during one exchange quantitatively exceed the daily losses of proteins and amino acids. The supplementary amino acids are well tolerated and can induce protein anabolism in many malnourished PD patients, as is evident from increased nitrogen balance, insulin-like growth factor-1, and increased concentrations of serum proteins. Such solutions offer a convenient means of providing nutritional supplementation to address the major nutritional needs of PD patients.