title: Effect of perioperative glutamine administration on C-reactive protein and liver function tests in patients undergoing hepatic resection.
abstract: Hepatic resections are commonly associated with high morbidity and mortality. Nutrition plays an important role in reducing postoperative complications besides improvement in intensive care and perioperative management. The aim of the study was to evaluate the role of glutamine as an immunonutrient in patients undergoing hepatic resection.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included 22 patients who underwent hepatectomy. Patients were randomized into two equal groups wherein group A patients received perioperative glutamine whereas group B patients served as controls. Primary outcome measures were level of serum albumin, C‑reactive protein (CRP), liver function tests and absolute neutrophil counts in the postoperative period while secondary outcome included post operative complications.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Glutamine decreased the CRP response in liver resection in a statistically significant manner (p=0.028) on the fifth post operative day. This may signify that glutamine decreases the post operative inflammatory response associated with liver resection. Glutamine did not have any significant effect on liver function tests. Postoperative morbidity was less in patients who received glutamine.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Glutamine successfully blunted the CRP response in patients who received glutamine postoperatively. Decrease in morbidity following glutamine administration is an attractive area of prospective research and requires further consideration involving larger patient groups.
authors.forename: Vijay
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Richard
authors.forename: Divya
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dahiya
authors.forename: Lileswar
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kaman
authors.forename: Prithvi
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Raj
authors.forename: Arunanshu
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Behera
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005973:Glutamine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006498:Hepatectomy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D056747:Immunomodulation; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019990:Perioperative Care / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D012709:Serum Albumin; D005973:Glutamine; D002097:C-Reactive Protein