Does glutamine-enriched parenteral nutrition really affect intestinal morphology and gut permeability?
BACKGROUND
Nutritional depletion has been related to low glutamine levels in plasma and gut mucosa. This study was set up to investigate the effects of glutamine-enriched total parenteral nutrition on intestinal morphology and permeability.


METHODS
Twenty-three depleted patients were randomized and after stabilization baseline measurements were performed. Plasma glutamine concentrations, gut morphology (including proliferation and lymphocyte markers) and intestinal permeability were measured. After administration during 8-10 days of a glutamine enriched total parenteral nutrition or an isonitrogenous control solution the measurements were repeated.


RESULTS
No significant changes in glutamine concentrations, intestinal permeability, mucosal morphology or gut mucosal inflammation were observed between groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Glutamine enriched total parenteral nutrition in a depleted patient population does not result in improvements in gut morphology and gut barrier function.
Hulsewé
Karel W E
KW
Department of General Surgery, University Hospital Maastricht, The Netherlands. k.hulsewe@ah.unimaas.nl
van Acker
Bernadette A C
BA
Hameeteman
Wim
W
van der Hulst
Rene R W J
RR
Vainas
Tryfon
T
Arends
Jan-Willem
JW
van Kreel
Bernard K
BK
von Meyenfeldt
Maarten F
MF
Soeters
Peter B
PB
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005973:Glutamine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010288:Parenteral Nutrition; D010539:Permeability / Q000187:drug effects*; D011300:Preoperative Care; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D005973:Glutamine