OBJECTIVETo investigate the influence of intravenous infusion of 50 g/L fructose on post-operative blood glucose level in burn patients, and to evaluate its therapeutic value and safety.

METHODSA prospective, randomized, double blinded clinical trial was conducted. Forty-one burn patients with burn area ranging between 10% -30% of total body surface (TBSA) and third degree burns ranging between 1% -10% TBSA were enrolled in the study and randomized into experiment group (E, n = 21, with intravenous infusion of 500 ml of 50 g/L fructose daily for 3 days after escharectomy) and control group ( C, n = 20, with intravenous infusion of glucose 1 day after escharectomy for 3 days). Intravenous infusion of other carbohydrate liquids or oral intake of sugar was withhold within 4 hours of fructose or glucose infusion. Physical signs and side effects were observed during the administration. The plasma glucose contents before operation and on 1, 2 and 3 post-operation day( POD) were measured. The serum content of lactic acid, uric acid, hepatic and renal function were determined before operation and on 4 POD.

RESULTSPhysical signs before and after drug administration, and plasma glucose content before operation, as well as before and after fructose administration in 3 POD exhibited no obvious difference between the two groups ( P > 0. 05 ). The plasma glucose content was increased 3 days after operation in the control group, and it reached the peak on 3 POD [ (8. 4+/-3. 5) mmol/L] , which was markedly higher than that before glucose administration [ (6. 4+/-2.4) mmol/L, P <0. 01) ]. The plasma contents of lactic acid and uric acid showed no obvious difference ( P >0.05) between the two groups, and also no difference before and after operation ( P > 0. 05). No changes were observed in hepatic and renal functions.

CONCLUSIONIntravenous infusion of 50 g/L D-fructose is safe because it exerts little influence on blood glucose level.