Preoperative supplementation with a carbohydrate mixture decreases organ dysfunction-associated risk factors

Background & aims: Recently, both asymmetrical dimethylarginine and IL-6 have been suggested to be associated with the induction and severity of single and multiple organ dysfunction. The aims of the present study were to elucidate if these factors were increased in an ischemia reperfusion (IR) model and whether pre-operative carbohydrate supplementation can reduce the risk factors along with the IR injury. Methods: One group of male Wistar rats was fasted for 16h (water ad libitum) prior to clamping the superior mesenteric artery (IR fasted n=14). A second group had ad libitum access to a carbohydrate solution prior to clamping (IR fasted CHO group n=11). Sham-fasted animals, which only received laparotomy and no clamping, served as controls (n=4). Results: Plasma urea and ALAT activity were both increased in the IR fasted animals when compared to the sham rats (P=0.007 and P