Double-Blind Study of Glycerol vs Glucose in Parenteral Nutrition of Postsurgical Insulin-Treated Diabetic Patients

Abstract

Twenty-five insulin-treated diabetic patients were randomly assigned postoperatively to 5 days of intravenous infusions of ProcalAmine (3% amino acids, 3% glycerol, and electrolytes) or FreAmineIII + dextrose and electrolytes. The solutions were given isocalorically and isonitrogenously. Insulin was adjusted to keep glycemia at the level of 150-200 mg/dl. The ProcalAmine group by the 5th day had plasma glucose of 158 ± 25 mg/dl and required 1.20 ± 0.10 U/hr insulin. The FreAmine + dextrose group had plasma glucose of 169 ± 53 mg/dl and required 2.28 ± 0.13 U/hr. At all time points postsurgically, the ProcalAmine group required less insulin. (Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition 11:274-274, 1987)