| Abstract: | Plasma dilution resulting from absorption of a 1.5% glycine solution is difficult to evaluate on the basis of changes in serum sodium alone. In a canine animal model the effects of infusion of a 1.5% glycine solution and a 0.9% saline solution on the nonelectrolyte components of serum were compared with a noninfused control group. The outcome measurements included total serum protein, serum albumin, serum cholesterol, serum globulin, plasma fibrinogen, and serum osmolality. The infusion of each solution resulted in a significantly lower concentration in plasma proteins and cholesterol compared with the control group. The lowest concentration of plasma proteins and cholesterol occurred in the saline infusion group. The dilution produced by saline infusion was consistent with a distribution of the infused fluid in the extracellular compartment. The dilutional effect was less in the glycine solution infused group, which suggested partial distribution of residual free water from the glycine solution in the intracellular space as well as the extracellular compartment. Since plasma proteins are confined primarily to the intravascular compartment, the changes in the concentration of plasma proteins and cholesterol indicate the amount of dilution of the extracellular fluid. |
