Effects of a nucleoside and nucleotide mixture on metabolism in hepatectomized rats

In the present experiment, the effect of a nucleoside-based mixture (OG-VI) on protein synthesis was evaluated. Twenty male Wistar rats weighing about 200g underwent 70% hepatectomy by the Higgins-Anderson's method. All animals were administered standard TPN solution just after operation. The control group received only standard TPN (S-TPN) and the experimental group was given TPN containing 13% v/v of OG-VI (OG-TPN). The rates of whole body protein turnover, synthesis and breakdown measured by the Picou & Taylor-Roberts method with 15N-glycine on the 3rd day after operation. Nitrogen balance on the 1st and 3rd postoperative day and the cumulative nitrogen balance in the OG-TPN group were significantly higher than in controls. Moreover, in the OG-TPN group, protein turnover and protein synthesis were significantly more increased than in the control group. It was thus concluded that the increased protein synthesis, rather than the alteration in protein breakdown, accounted for the good nitrogen balance in the OG-TPN group. The present results strongly suggest that the OG-VI nucleoside and nucleotide mixture improves protein metabolism in hepatectomized rats and helps promoting protein synthesis and turnover after surgical stress.