Elsevier

Clinical Nutrition

Volume 17, Issue 2, April 1998, Pages 65-71
Clinical Nutrition

Original Article
Preoperative oral carbohydrate administration reduces postoperative insulin resistance*

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0261-5614(98)80307-5Get rights and content

Abstract

Infusions of carbohydrates before surgery reduce postoperative insulin resistance. We investigated the effects of a carbohydrate drink, given shortly before surgery, on postoperative metabolism.

Method:

Insulin sensitivity, glucose turnover ([6,6, 2H2]-D-glucose) and substrate utilization were measured using hyperinsulinemic normoglycemic clamps and indirect calorimetry in two matched groups of patients before and after elective colorectal surgery. The drink group (n = 7) received 800 ml of an isoosmolar carbohydrate rich beverage the evening before the operation (100 g carbohydrates), as well as another 400 ml (50 g carbohydrates) 2 h before the initiation of anesthesia. The fasted group (n = 7) was operated after an overnight fast.

Results:

After surgery, energy expenditure increased in both groups. Endogenous glucose production was higher after surgery and the difference was significant during low insulin infusion rates in both groups (P < 0.05). The supressibility of endogenous glucose production by the two step insulin infusion was similar pre- and postoperatively in both groups. At the high insulin infusion rate postoperatively, whole body glucose disposal was more reduced in the fasted group (−49 ± 6% vs −26 ± 8%, P < 0.05 vs drink). Furthermore, during high insulin infusion rates, glucose oxidation decreased postoperatively only in the fasted group (P < 0.05) and postoperative levels of fat oxidation were greater in the fasted group (P < 0.05 vs drink). Only minor postoperative changes in cortisol and glucagon were found and no differences were found between the treatment groups.

Conclusions:

Patients given a carbohydrate drink shortly before elective colorectal surgery displayed less reduced insulin sensitivity after surgery as compared to patients who were operated after an overnight fast.

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    *

    Preliminary data from this study was peresented at the XIX ESPEN Congress, Amsterdam, Netherlands, 10–13th of September, 1997. (Clin. Nutr., vol 16 (Suppl 2), 0.74, 1997). Olle Ljungqvist and Suad Efendic are the holders of the patent for the drink described in this report. This drink is produced under license by Nutricia, Zoetermeer, the Netherlands.

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