The Response of Fibronectin to Differing Parenteral Caloric Sources in Normal Man

The relationship between circulating fibronectin concentration and nutritional status was examined in eight healthy male (31 ± 1 yr old) volunteers in three nutritional states: the postabsorptive state, after 10 days of protein-caloric starvation, and during the 10th day of refeeding by total parenteral nutrition. Plasma fibronectin was significantly decreased from 330 ± 22 to 154 ± 11 μg/ml (p < 0.001) from the postabsorptive to starved state which was accompanied by appropriate changes in body weight, anthropometric measurements, and nitrogen balance. Plasma fibronectin levels were restored to 402 ± 39 μg/ml following 10 days of total parenteral nutrition. The plasma fibronectin response was greater (p < 0.05) during total parenteral nutrition with dextrose as the nonprotein calorie source as compared to a 50% dextrose/50% lipid regimen. These results suggest that the calorie source must be considered during interpretation of plasma fibronectin levels in patients undergoing parenteral nutrition. (Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition 9:435-438, 1985)