Nutritional Aspects of CAPD and the Potential Use of Amino Acid Containing Dialysis Solutions

Abstract

As a result of a combination of a decreased appetite with increased nutrient losses in the dialysate, a number of CAPO patients may develop malnutrition. A decrease in appetite is also observed in normal animals undergoing CAPO which suggests that some factors related to CAPO influence appetite so that these animals eat less. In addition to protein losses, CAPO patients are losing approximately two grams of amino acids a day, and they have plasma amino acid abnormalities similar to those produced by malnutrition and uremia. An amino acid-containing dialysis solution (2%) is an effective solution with respect to ultrafiltration and solute removal. Amino acids can be absorbed by the peritoneal route and produce an increase in plasma amino acids to levels similar to those observed after a protein meal. These observations indicate that administration of amino acids via the peritoneal route may prevent or correct malnutrition developed in patients on CAPO.