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The effect of glutamine supplementation in patients following elective surgery and accidental injury.
- Source :
-
The Journal of nutrition [J Nutr] 2001 Sep; Vol. 131 (9 Suppl), pp. 2543S-9S; discussion 2550S-1S. - Publication Year :
- 2001
-
Abstract
- The metabolic response to injury, whether a controlled elective surgical procedure or an accidental injury, is characterized by the breakdown of skeletal muscle protein and the translocation of the amino acids to visceral organs and the wound. At these sites, the substrate serves to enhance host defenses, and support vital organ function and wound repair. Glutamine (GLN) plays a major role in these processes, accounting for approximately one third of the translocated nitrogen. From available data, GLN-supplemented intravenous nutrition in patients undergoing elective surgery improves nitrogen balance, helps correct the decreased GLN concentration found in the free intracellular skeletal muscle amino acid pool and enhances net protein synthesis (particularly in skeletal muscle). Six randomized blind trials (two multicentered investigations) reported a decreased length in hospital stay in postoperative patients receiving GLN supplementation. After blunt trauma, GLN supplementation increased plasma concentrations, attenuated the immunosuppression commonly observed and decreased the rate of infection. Patients with burn injury have low GLN plasma and intramuscular concentrations; turnover and synthesis rate are accelerated, yet apparently inadequate to support normal concentrations. These data suggest that GLN supplementation has important effects in catabolic surgical patients, but the exact mechanisms to explain these events remain unknown, and more research is required to explain the apparent benefits of dietary GLN.
- Subjects :
- Administration, Oral
Burns therapy
Clinical Trials as Topic
Glutamine blood
Glutamine metabolism
Humans
Intestinal Mucosa metabolism
Length of Stay
Muscle Proteins biosynthesis
Muscle Proteins metabolism
Muscle, Skeletal metabolism
Nitrogen metabolism
Nutritional Status
Parenteral Nutrition
Wound Healing
Wounds and Injuries blood
Wounds and Injuries metabolism
Dietary Supplements
Elective Surgical Procedures
Glutamine therapeutic use
Wounds and Injuries therapy
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 0022-3166
- Volume :
- 131
- Issue :
- 9 Suppl
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- The Journal of nutrition
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 11533310
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/131.9.2543S