title: Glutamine supplementation in cystic fibrosis: A randomized placebo-controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pulmonary infection and malnutrition in cystic fibrosis are associated with decreased survival. Glutamine has a possible anti-microbial effect, with a specific impact against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. We aimed to test the hypothesis that oral glutamine supplementation (21 g/day) for 8 weeks in adults with cystic fibrosis would decrease pulmonary inflammation and improve clinical status.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study design was a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study design with an iso-nitrogenous placebo. The primary analysis was intention to treat, and the primary outcome was change in induced sputum neutrophils.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-nine individuals were recruited and thirty-six completed the study. Glutamine supplementation had no impact on any of the outcome measures in the intention-to-treat analysis. In the per protocol analysis, glutamine supplementation was associated with an increase in induced sputum neutrophils (P = 0.046), total cells (P = 0.03), and in Pseudomonas isolation agar colony forming units (P = 0.04) compared to placebo.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There was no effect of glutamine supplementation on markers of pulmonary inflammation in the intention-to-treat analysis.
authors.affiliation: Division of Respiratory Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Doug L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Forrester
authors.affiliation: Division of Respiratory Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Alan J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Knox
authors.affiliation: Division of Child Health, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Alan R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Smyth
authors.affiliation: Division of Respiratory Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Helen L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Barr
authors.affiliation: Division of Respiratory Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Simms
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, NUH NHS Trust, Nottingham, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Sarah J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Pacey
authors.affiliation: Division of Respiratory Medicine, Oxford University, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Ian D
authors.initials: ID
authors.lastname: Pavord
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Heartlands Hospital, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Honeybourne
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nottingham City Hospital, Nottingham, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dewar
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nottingham City Hospital, Nottingham, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Andy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Clayton
authors.affiliation: Division of Public Health and Epidemiology, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Andrew W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Fogarty
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000150:complications*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005973:Glutamine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011552:Pseudomonas Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D005973:Glutamine
keywords: cystic fibrosis; glutamine; infection; nutrition