Biological Chemistry - Berezov T. T., Korovkin B. F. 1998

Metabolism of Simple Proteins
Parenteral Protein Nutrition

The issue of parenteral protein Nutrition is of great importance for clinical practice. As is well known, dietary Proteins can be utilized by The Human Body only after prior Digestion and breakdown in the gastrointestinal tract into free Amino Acids. The parenteral administration of proteins—that is, bypassing the intestinal tract—leads to sensitization (an increased bodily sensitivity to foreign protein), and repeated protein administration can trigger anaphylaxis, a Shock state. Meanwhile, clinicians are sometimes forced to use this method of protein delivery, particularly in surgical practice for esophageal obstruction resulting from Burns and poisonings, severe cancerous lesions of the Esophagus and Stomach, and following surgeries on The Stomach and intestines, among other cases. To prevent severe complications arising from the parenteral administration of protein solutions, protein hydrolysates (mixtures of amino acids) are currently used for protein nutrition. The administration of amino acid mixtures does not cause allergic reactions because, unlike proteins, free amino acids possess neither species nor tissue Specificity. Long-term clinical observations of patients indicate that the body's protein requirements can be fully met by administering amino acid mixtures. It should be noted, however, that A number of adverse side effects of the body in response to the administration of protein hydrolysates can occur, particularly the potential impairment of normal mental function.