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Muscle Protein Synthesis in Critical Illness

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Yearbook of Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine 1993

Part of the book series: Yearbook of Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine 1993 ((YEARBOOK,volume 1993))

Abstract

Measurements of protein synthesis in critical illness are scarce and textbooks refer to data obtained in animal experiments, which do not necessarily reflect the Situation in man. Lately the use of stable isotopes, however, has permitted direct measurements of the incorporation of labelled amino-acids into muscle protein in man. Thus, for the first time knowledge of this area is based upon human studies, and consequently it is based upon a more solid foundation in contrast to that derived from animal data. However, methodological difficulties with the techniques used call for a cautious interpretation of the results obtained. In particular, special care must be taken to ensure that the isotopic enrichment of the free amino-acid precursor for protein synthesis can be correctly evaluated. So far, the so called “large dose technique” [1], which overcomes this difficulty, has proven to be an ideal method in many respects for studies of this type.

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Authors
  1. J. Wernerman
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  2. P. Essén
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  3. P. Garlick
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Intensive Care, Erasme Hospital, Free University of Brussels, Route de Lennik 808, B-1070, Brussels, Belgium

    Jean-Louis Vincent (Clinical Director) (Clinical Director)

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Wernerman, J., Essén, P., Garlick, P. (1993). Muscle Protein Synthesis in Critical Illness. In: Vincent, JL. (eds) Yearbook of Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine 1993. Yearbook of Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine 1993, vol 1993. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-84904-6_21

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-84904-6_21

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