c-peptide and ornithine-alpha-ketoglutarate

Plasma concentrations of glucose, insulin, C-peptide, glucagon, cortisol and hGH were measured in burn patients (mean burn surface area 21 per cent) treated or not with ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate (OKG). An increase in basal values of glucose, insulin, C-peptide and cortisol was demonstrated in both groups, whereas hGH values diminished. OKG modified neither insulin nor hGH values 24 h after its enteral administration nor insulin levels within the first 4 h after intake. On the other hand, 60 min after enteral nutrition was restarted the hyperglycaemia observed in untreated subjects was reduced by OKG whereas a hyperinsulinism was observed in both groups. These results suggest that: (i) the anticatabolic/anabolic action of OKG in burn patients is not mediated by insulin or hGH, (ii) OKG probably induces an increase in glucose tolerance in burn patients, in whom there is a state of insulin resistance. The mechanism of this action requires further study.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Blood Glucose; Burns; C-Peptide; Female; Glucagon; Growth Hormone; Humans; Hydrocortisone; Insulin; Kinetics; Male; Middle Aged; Ornithine