title: Effect of alanylglutamine-enriched infusion on tumor growth and cellular immune function in rats.
abstract: The effects of total parenteral nutrition containing alanylglutamine (Ala-Gln) on tumor growth and cellular immune response were examined in rats inoculated Yoshida sarcoma cells subcutaneously. Rats given Ala-Gln-enriched solution intravenously showed a positive nitrogen balance and the increased function of alveolar macrophages. Studies on in vitro effect of Ala-Gln on immune cells in control rats showed a significant increase in phagocytic activity of alveolar macrophages and in blastogenic response of splenocytes, respectively. In vitro experiment of Gln or Ala-Gln addition to culture medium showed a remarkable enhancement of incorporation of(3)H-thymidine into Yoshida sarcoma cells, but in vivo administration of Ala-Gln containing solution did not accelerate the growth of the same tumor as measured by changes in the weight and volume. These results suggest that Ala-Gln infusion does not stimulate tumor growth due to maintenance of some immune-enhancing effect by Gln liberated from Ala-Gln in tumor-bearing hosts.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition, School of Medicine, The University of Tokushima, Kuramoto-cho, 770, Tokushima, Japan.
authors.forename: M N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Kweon
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Moriguchi
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mukai
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kishino