Abstract
Objective
This study investigated the changes over time in glutathione and its constituent amino acids in skeletal muscle of ICU patients with multiple organ failure.
Design and setting
Prospective and descriptive pilot study in two medium-sized ICUs with ten beds.
Patients
Critically ill patients (n=10) with multiple organ failure and with an expected ICU stay longer than 6 days were included during their initial 3 days after admission to the ICU.
Measurements and results
Muscle biopsy and blood samples were taken on days 0, 3, and 6 after inclusion and total, reduced, and oxidized glutathione and the related amino acids were determined. During the study period both total and reduced glutathione increased and was in the normal range on day 6. The constituent amino acids normalized during the study period as well.
Conclusions
This pilot study demonstrates a recovery of muscle glutathione concentrations in critically ill patients with ongoing multiple organ failure within 1 week. Restoration of muscle glutathione seems to be a biological process of high priority in this group of patients.
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Acknowledgements
This work was supported by the Swedish Medical Research Council (project no. 04210 and 07140), Maud and Birger Gustavsson Foundation, the Stockholm County Council, Public Health and Medical Science, Department of Research Development and Teaching. The authors thank Mrs Liselott Thunblad and Cristina Hebert for their skilled technical assistance. The excellent assistance of Mrs. Marianne Zander and Mrs. Solveig Eriksson is also gratefully acknowledged.
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Fläring, U.B., Rooyackers, O.E., Wernerman, J. et al. Temporal changes in muscle glutathione in ICU patients. Intensive Care Med 29, 2193–2198 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00134-003-2031-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00134-003-2031-5