Clinical science
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1. Intraperitoneal injections of zymosan were given to rats, according to a modified procedure, in order to create a pattern of illness with an acute critical phase for 36 h followed by a prolonged recovery phase lasting for at least 10 days. Changes in amino acid and protein metabolism were studied in both phases. 2. ⋯ Decreases in plasma glutamine and arginine on day 12 after zymosan indicated that the rats were still not fully recovered on this day. 4. We conclude that injection of a single dose of zymosan in rats leads to metabolic derangements both during the acute phase of critical illness and during the prolonged recovery phase. The model seems suited for investigating the biochemical mechanisms behind these metabolic derangements and for studying therapeutic and nutritional interventions during recovery from critical illness.