Baliga et al. 1997 USA Prospective Controlled Trial N=11 | Population: Tetraplegia (N=6): Mean age=33 yr; Gender: males=6, females=0; Severity of injury: complete; Paraplegia (N=5): Mean age=36 yr; Gender: males=4, females=1; Severity of injury: complete. Intervention: Individuals with tetraplegia received a milk-based liquid meal including Compan and glucose supplements (66 g carbohydrates, 22 g fat, 18 g protein, 550 Kcal, 300 mL). Individuals with paraplegia served as controls. Outcome Measures: Blood pressure [mean arterial (BP), systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP)]; plasma noradrenaline and adrenaline levels; heart rate (HR); serum osmolality, renin activity, glucose, and other electrolytes. | 1. Those with tetraplegia had higher basal SBP and HR, but lower basal DBP compared to controls; after the meal, BP decreased in the treatment group (not significant) but not for controls 2. Basal plasma noradrenaline levels were lower for the treatment group compared to the controls; after the meal, the controls group’s plasma noradrenaline levels increased (p<0.05), while the treatment group’s did not. 3. Basal renin activity and glucose level among the treatment group increased after ingestion (p<0.05), but the control group’s did not. 4. HR and all other measures did not change in either group. |