Abstract
To determine the influence of protein turnover on resting metabolic rate of post-surgical infants on TPN, the rate of protein synthesis (S), catabolism (C), net protein gain (PG) and resting energy expenditure (REE) were measured in 11 infants, birthweight 2340±172g(SEM), gestational age 37±0.9wk. Study weight was 2445±204g on postnatal day 17±3. Energy intake was 89.1±3.4kcal/kg/d; protein intake was 3.2±0.2g/kg/d. S and C were calculated from the plateau of urinary 15N enrichment reached during 72h of 15N glycine infusion. Infusion was started at least 3 days after surgery. PG was calculated as net synthesis (S-C) while REE was measured by open circuit indirect calorimetry. Results are as shown.
There was a significant correlation between REE and PG (r=0.72, p<0.01). The slope indicated an expenditure of 11 kcal/g PG. An average of 5.5g protein was synthesized per g PG. The energy cost was 2.0kcal/g(S). The energy expenditure was 19.8 kcal to synthesize 9.89g protein. Since all energy produced during protein breakdown is released as heat we conclude that about 44.5% of resting energy expenditure can be accounted for as the energy cost of protein synthesis in post-surgery infants.
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Sauer, P., Aerde, J., Beesley, J. et al. ENERGY PARTITION OF PROTEIN SYNTHESIS IN RESTING ENERGY EXPENDITURE OF NEONATES ON TPN. Pediatr Res 18 (Suppl 4), 339 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404001-01477
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404001-01477