In the obese state profound metabolic disturbances exist and it is not known how this disrupted metabolism in obese subjects (body mass index greater than 30) may change their ability to respond to the superimposed, injury-induced stress. Understanding the mechanisms that modify the metabolic parameters in traumatized obese patients is essential in their nutritional assessment and further treatment. We have investigated in 7 obese and 10 nonobese multiple trauma patients, on a whole-body level, the energy metabolism, protein kinetics, and lipolysis in the early catabolic "flow phase" of severe injury when they were receiving maintenance fluids without calories or nitrogen. Traumatized obese patients mobilized relatively more protein and less fat compared with nonobese subjects. A relative block both in lipolysis and fat oxidation is experienced by injured obese patients that results in a shift to preferential use of proteins and carbohydrates. Reduced endogenous protein synthetic efficiency observed in obese patients implies increased protein recycling. Thus obese patients could not effectively use their most abundant fat fuel sources and have to depend on other fuel sources. The nutritional management of obese trauma victims should therefore be tailored towards provision of enough glucose calories to spare protein.

Groundwater quality assessment study was carried out around Manimuktha river basin, Tamil Nadu, India. Twenty six bore well samples were analyzed for geochemical variations and quality of groundwater. Four major hydrochemical facies (Ca-HCO(3), Na-Cl, Mixed CaNaHCO(3), and mixed CaMgCl) were identified using a Piper trilinear diagram. Comparison of geochemical results with World Health Organization, United States Environmental Protection Agency, and Indian Standard Institution drinking water standards shows that all groundwater samples except few are suitable for drinking and irrigation purposes. The major groundwater pollutions are nitrate and phosphate ions due to sewage effluents and fertilizer applications. The study reveals that the groundwater quality changed due to anthropogenic and natural influence such as agricultural, natural weathering process.

Total parenteral nutrition with hypertonic glucose/AA solutions given to eighteen nutritionally depleted patients resulted in a rise in the respiratory quotient (RQ) from 0.83 to 1.05 (p less than .001), while oxygen consumption (VO2) increased only 3%. Excess glucose in depleted patients was converted to fat as evidenced by an RQ greater than 1.0. Administration of a similar glucose load to fourteen hypermetabolic patients (injury/infection) resulted in a rise in RQ from 0.76 to 0.90 while VO2 increased 29% (p less than .001) In hypermetabolic patients, even with administration of glucose in quantities above energy expenditure, there was still ongoing utilization of fat for energy, resulting in a RQ significantly less than 1.0. Excess glucose under these circumstances is apparently converted to glycogen while fat stores are utilized to partially meet energy needs. Septic and injuried man seems to preferentially utilize endogenous fat as an energy source. Administration of a large glucose load to hypermetabolic patients does not totally suppress the net fat oxidation as it does in depleted patients. Rather there is an increase in VO2, continuing oxidation of fat and apparently an increase in the conversion of glucose to glycogen.

No abstract

Tumor necrosis factor (cachectin), a protein produced by monocytes and macrophages, has been implicated as an important mediator of the lethal effects of endotoxic shock and the cachexia of chronic infection. Recombinant human tumor necrosis factor a (rTNF) was given intravenously to patients as part of an antineoplastic trial. Fever, tachycardia, and at higher doses, hypotension occurred after a single inection of rTNF. Metabolic effects after rTNF administration were dose related and included enhanced energy expenditure with elevated CO2 production, increased whole body protein metabolism and peripheral amino acid efflux from the forearm, and decreased total arterial amino acid levels associated with a significant increase in plasma cortisol. Elevated serum triglycerides, as well as increased glycerol and free fatty acid turnover were seen, suggesting increased whole body lipolysis and fat utilization after rTNF. These findings indicate that administration of TNF in man reproduces many of the acute physiologic and metabolic responses to tissue injury, including energy substrate mobilization.