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Krassowski J, Rousselle J, Maeder E, Felber J P 1981 The effect of ornithine-a-ketoglutarate on insulin and glucagon secretion in normal subjects. Acta Endocrinologica 98: 252-255 Cynober L, Blonde F, Lioret N, Coudray-Lucas C, Dubreuil M, Saizy R, Giboudeau J 1985 Influence de l’apport nutritionnel sur les differences arterio- veineuses du glucose, du lactate, des acides gras libres et des acides amines chez le brtilt-. Abstract, 6th Congress Societe Francaise d’Etude de Traitement des Brtilures, Toulouse, France Aussel C, Cynober L, Lioret N, Dubreuil M, Saizy R, Giboudeau J 1985 Branched-chain keto acids plasma concentrations following burn-injury. Effects of enteral feeding supplemented with ornithine-x-ketoglutarate. Abstract, 4th World Congress Intensive Critical Care Medicine, Jerusalem, Israel Cynober L, Lioret N, Coudray-Lucas C, Aussel C, Ziegler F, Baudin B, Saizy R, Giboudeau J 1984 Actions anabolique et anticatabolique de l’a cetoglutarate d’omithine administre par voie enterale chez le brule. Abstract, 5th Symposium Societe Francaise de Nutrition Enterale et Parent&ale, Rouen, France Vesterberg K, Leander U, Fiirst P, Vinnars E 1984 Nitrogen sparing effect of ornicetil in trauma. II. Muscle and plasma amino acids. Abstract, 4th ESPEN Congress, Vienne, Autriche Leander U, Fiirst P, Vesterberg K, Vinnars E 1985 Nitrogen sparing effect of ornicetil in the immediate

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postoperative state. 1. Clinical biochemistry and nitrogen balance. Clinical Nutrition 4: 43-51 Cynober L, Saizy R, Nguyen Dinh F, Lioret N, Giboudeau J 1984 Effect of enterally administered ornithine-cc-ketoglutarate on plasma and urinary amino acid and levels after burn injury. Journal Trauma 24: 590-596 Wannemacher R W, Klainer A S, Dinterman R E, Beisel W R 1976 The significance and mechanism of an increased serum phenylalanine-tyrosine ratio during infection. American Journal Clinical Nutrition 29: 997- 1006 Cynober L, Saizy R, Nguyen Dinh F, Dreysse C, Lioret N, Mousset L 1982 Les variations de la cortisolemie chez le b&P et leur relation avec celles des acides amines plasmatiques. Annales Francaises d’Anesthesie Reanimation 1: 307-3 12 Coudray-Lucas C, Cynober L, Lioret N, Saizy R, Baux S, Giboudeau J 1985 Origins of hyperphenylalaninemia in burn patients. Clinical Nutrition in press Metoki K, Hommes F R 1984 The uptake of ornithine and lysine by isolated hepatocytes and fibroblasts. International Journal of Biochemistry 16: 833-836

L. Cynober, J. Giboudeau, R. Saizy, Laboratoire de Biochimie A, Service des Brtiles et Hopital Saint Antoine, Departement d’Anesthesiologie, 184, rue du Fg St Antoine, Hopital Saint Antoine, 75571 Paris Cedex 12, France Paris, France

Eriksson et al. reply as follows:

In his comments to our article entitled ‘Infusion of ornithine-alpha-ketoglutarate in healthy subjects: Effects on protein metabolism’, Clinical Nutrition 1985; 4: 73-76, Dr Cynober emphasizes that our observations are limited to healthy subjects. We certainly recognize that other conditions may obtain in septic or traumatised patients. Although in the Discussion we bring up different possible explanations for the divergent results obtained in our study as compared to those in previous reports involving patients with burns, injuries or post- operative conditions, the conclusions are limited to the normal, postabsorptive state. Moreover, Dr Cynober points out that different dosages of ornithine-alpha-ketoglutarate have been employed,

which may help explain differences in hormonal and amino acid response. Thus, 28 mg/min was used in our study vs. 20 g/m” per 30min in the report by Krassowski et al. (Acta Endocrinol. 1981; 98: 252- 255). However, the latter dose is hardly of therapeutic interest, since it would involve the administration of more than 1.6 kg/24 h. Finally, many of the points raised by Dr Cynober are of interest, but at the same time they are difficult to evaluate since the studies referred to have as yet been presented in abstract form only. It is to be hoped that these reports will soon appear in final form in Clinical Nutrition, so as to allow adequate appraisal.

L. S. Eriksson E. Reihner J. Wahren

ERRATUM

The paper entitled ‘Parenteral nutrition of injured by a grant of Minister0 della Pubblica Istruzione patients: Effect of manipulation of aminoacid infusion 1982-1984, Head Investigator Prof. G. Damia. (increasing branched chain while decreasing aromatic Please also note Table 1, page 122 of this article: and sulphurated aminoacids)’ by G. Iapichino et al the last right-hand column of the table is “ti of ideal pages 121-128, Vol. 4, 1985 was partially supported body weight.