Oxalate Metabolism in Man Studied During Total Parenteral Nutrition

Abstract

The mean urinary excretion of oxalate was 325 μmol/24 h in six patients during total parenteral nutrition (TPN). The urinary excretion of oxalate was considered to be equal to the endogenous oxalate production. A 2-day load of the oxalate precursor glycine given to five patients did not influence the oxalate excretion in spite of increased serum glycine concentrations. A 3-day load of the oxalate precursor ascorbic acid given to four patients increased the oxalate excretion in all patients. In one patient TPN was prolonged for 20 days without any change in the amount of oxalate excreted.

Key-words:

• Ascorbic acid
• glycine
• malnutrition
• oxalate
• total parenteral nutrition