Efficacy of glucose infusion for the inhibition of breakdown of fat tissue and muscle protein under remifentanil anesthesia

Background : We investigated the efficacy of glucose infusion for the inhibition of breakdown of fat tissue and muscle protein under remifentanil anesthesia. Methods : Twenty adult patients (ASA I or II) were enrolled in this study and randomized into two groups : a control group receiving acetated Ringer's solution without glucose (n=10) and a glucose group receiving acetated Ringer's solution containing 1% glucose (n=10). Anesthesia was induced by propofol and fentanyl and maintained by sevoflurane and remifentanil. Plasma concentrations of glucose and cortisol were measured. Acetoacetic acid and 3-hydroxybutyrate acid were measured as parameters for breakdown of fat tissue. Urine 3-methylhistidine/plasma creatinine was measured as a parameter for breakdown of muscle protein during surgery. Data were analyzed by the unpaired t-test, Friedman's chi ²-test, Wilcoxon's t-test and Mann-Whitney U test. P < 0.05 was considered significant. Results : Plasma concentrations of Cortisol and glucose were not increased in either group during the study. Plasma concentrations of acetoacetic acid and 3-hydroxybutyrate acid and urine 3-methylhistidine/plasma creatinine significantly increased in the control group but did not increase in the glucose group. Conclusions : Infusion of glucose suppresses breakdown of fat tissue and muscle protein under remifentanil anesthesia.