Alterations in basal nutrient metabolism increase resting energy expenditure in sickle cell disease

Basal rates of whole body protein, glucose, and lipid metabolism and resting energy expenditure (REE) were measured in eight African-American sickle cell disease (SCD) patients and in six African-American controls. Catheters were placed 1) in an antecubital vein for stable isotope infusion and 2) in a heated hand vein for arterialized venous blood. Breath and blood were collected during the last 30 min of the 2.5-h study, and REE was measured by indirect calorimetry. REE [128 +/- 5 vs. 111 +/- 1 kJ.kg fat-free mass (FFM)-1.day-1; P < 0.05 vs. controls] was 15% greater in the SCD patients. Whole body protein breakdown (5.0 +/- 0.3 vs. 3.8 +/- 0.2 mg.kg FFM-1.min-1; P < 0.05 vs. controls) and protein synthesis (4.4 +/- 0.3 vs. 3.2 +/- 0.2 mg.kg FFM-1.min-1; P < 0.05 vs. controls) were 32 and 38% greater, respectively, in the SCD patients, but whole body amino acid oxidation was similar (0.58 +/- 0.03 vs. 0.66 +/- 0.03 mg.kg FFM-1.min-1). Measures of whole body glucose and lipid metabolism were not significantly different between the groups. The additional energy required for the greater rates of whole body protein breakdown and synthesis caused by SCD contributes significantly to the observed increase in REE, suggesting that dietary energy and protein requirements are enhanced in SCD patients.