Effect of glutamine in short-bowel syndrome.

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND AIMS:

Animal studies have reported positive effects of glutamine on intestinal absorption and morphology; human studies have been less convincing. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of glutamine and diet on intestinal morphology, motility, and absorption.

METHODS:

A randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled crossover study in 8 patients with short-bowel on a high carbohydrate, low fat (HCLF) diet, was performed. Active treatment was oral glutamine (0.45 g kg(-1)day(-1)) for eight weeks. Intestinal morphology was evaluated by light microscopy. Gastrointestinal transit was measured by dual gamma camera scintigraphy. D-xylose and fecal fat collection was used to evaluate intestinal absorption. Results of active treatment versus placebo were compared by the signed-rank test.

RESULTS:

Morphology analysis, reported as median active treatment versus placebo, was villus height: 0.48 mm versus 0.50 mm, P=1.0, and crypt depth: 0.11 mm versus 0.10 mm, P=0.469. Percent D-xylose absorption, reported as median active treatment versus placebo, was 7% versus 10.5%, P=0.109. There was not a significant difference in wet weight or fat absorption compared to placebo, P>0.05. Likewise, gastrointestinal transit was not different compared to placebo.

CONCLUSIONS:

The results of this controlled study would support that 8 weeks of treatment with oral glutamine and a HCLF diet does not significantly improve intestinal morphology, gastrointestinal transit, D-xylose absorption and stool losses in short bowel patients.

• Authors: J S Scolapio, K McGreevy, G S Tennyson, O L Burnett
• Journal: Clinical nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland) (Clin Nutr) Vol. 20 Issue 4 Pg. 319-23 (Aug 2001) ISSN: 0261-5614 [Print] England
• PMID: 11478829 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)
• Copyright: Copyright 2001 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.

Chemical References

• Glutamine
• Xylose

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Cross-Over Studies
• Feces (chemistry)
• Female
• Gastrointestinal Motility (drug effects)
• Gastrointestinal Transit
• Glutamine (pharmacology)
• Humans
• Intestinal Absorption (drug effects)
• Intestines (pathology)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Short Bowel Syndrome (drug therapy, physiopathology)
• Xylose (pharmacokinetics)