Oral glutamine to alleviate radiation-induced oral mucositis: a pilot randomized trial.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

To evaluate the influence of oral glutamine on radiation-induced oral mucositis in the radiotherapy of head and neck cancer.

METHODS AND MATERIALS:

From July 1997 through June 1998, 17 patients with head and neck cancer receiving primary or adjuvant irradiation were randomized to either glutamine suspension (16 g in 240 ml normal saline) (n = 8) or placebo (normal saline) (n = 9) arm. Patients were instructed to swish the test solutions (30 ml) four times per day. All patients received half-mouth irradiation at least. Patients were treated 1.8 Gy per fraction daily, 5 days a week. We evaluated the grading of oral mucositis daily fraction at each day of treatment until 45 Gy/25 fractions. World Health Organization (WHO) step analgesic medication and body weight change were compared between the two arms.

RESULTS:

The duration of objective oral mucositis > or = Grade 1 (p = 0.0097), Grade 2 (p = 0.0232), and Grade 3 (p = 0.0168) was shorter in the glutamine arm. Mean maximum grade of objective oral mucositis was less severe in the glutamine arm (1.6 vs. 2.6) (p = 0.0058). Glutamine did not reduce the duration and severity of subjective oral mucositis except for duration > or = Grade 3 (p = 0.0386). In the analysis of mean maximum WHO step of analgesic medication, there was no statistical difference (p = 0.5374) between the two arms. Mean body weight change was also not significantly different (p = 0.8070).

CONCLUSIONS:

Oral glutamine may significantly reduce the duration and severity of objective oral mucositis during radiotherapy. It may shorten the duration of > or = Grade 3 subjective mucositis.

• Authors: E Y Huang, S W Leung, C J Wang, H C Chen, L M Sun, F M Fang, S A Yeh, H C Hsu, C Y Hsiung
• Journal: International journal of radiation oncology, biology, physics (Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys) Vol. 46 Issue 3 Pg. 535-9 (Feb 01 2000) ISSN: 0360-3016 [Print] United States
• PMID: 10701731 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Glutamine

Topics

• Administration, Oral
• Body Weight
• Female
• Glutamine (administration & dosage)
• Head and Neck Neoplasms (radiotherapy)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Pilot Projects
• Radiation Injuries (drug therapy)
• Stomatitis (drug therapy, etiology, pathology)