Intestinal glutamine metabolism during critical illness: a surgical perspective.
In critically ill surgical patients, various therapeutic maneuvers are required to maintain a healthy gastrointestinal tract. Provision of adequate amounts of glutamine to the gastrointestinal mucosa and possibly to the gut-associated lymphatic tissue appears to be just one of these necessary maneuvers. The concept that the intestine is inactive after surgical stress merits reconsideration, as the intestinal tract plays a central role in interorgan glutamine metabolism and is a key regulator of nitrogen handling in this situation. Clinical studies to examine the benefits of glutamine-enriched nutrition in hospitalized patients are under way.
Herskowitz
K
K
Department of Surgery, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville 32610.
Souba
W W
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D016638:Critical Illness; D005973:Glutamine / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism*; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000378:metabolism; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000009:adverse effects
D005973:Glutamine