α-ketoglutarate–supplemented enteral nutrition: effects on postoperative nitrogen balance and muscle catabolism

Objective Enteral feeding in the early postoperative phase may improve gut integrity and reduce infectious complications after trauma and surgery. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the feasibility of α-ketoglutarate enrichment of enteral feeding and the effect on protein metabolism after major surgery. Methods Patients undergoing elective abdominal surgery were randomly allocated to receive a standard whole-protein–based enteral nutrition solution (n = 9) or an isonitrogenous, isocaloric solution enriched with α-ketoglutarate (n = 11) for 5 d postoperatively. The nutritional goals by day 4 were 25 kcal and 0.17 g of nitrogen, respectively, per kilogram of body weight every 24 h. Standard blood analysis, including prealbumin and C-peptide, was performed preoperatively and on days 1, 3, and 6. Urine was collected daily for nitrogen and 3-methylhistidine analyses. Results Due to restricted tolerance to enteral feeding, the nitrogen delivery reached only 0.10 g of nitrogen per kilogram of body weight. Transthyretin decreased by 25% in both groups, and albumin decreased significantly in the enriched group compared with the standard nutrition. There were no significant differences in nitrogen balance, excretion of 3-methylhistidine, or clinical outcome between groups. Conclusions Enrichment of a whole-protein–based formula with α-ketoglutarate did not improve protein metabolism or decrease muscle catabolism after major abdominal surgery.