The use of L-arginine and sodium bicarbonate in the treatment of malabsorption due to cystic fibrosis
Kattwinkel, J.; Agus, S.G.; Taussig, L.M.; Di Sant'Agnese, P.A.; Laster, L.
Pediatrics 50(1): 133-137
1972
ISSN/ISBN: 0031-4005 PMID: 5038088 Document Number: 50855
When 10 patients with cystic fibrosis were given a normal hospital diet containing up to 100 g fat, with supplements of a commercial pancreatic extract alone or with sodium bicarbonate, there was a significant reduction in faecal weight, fat and N content. There was no such improvement when the diet was supplemented with L-arginine. The addition of bicarbonate to the pancreatic extract gave a slight but not significant increase in serum carotene. There was a significant loss of weight when arginine was given, but gains when the pancreatic extract was given either without or with bicarbonate.