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Glutamine: do the data support the cause for glutamine supplementation in humans?
1Division of Gastroenterology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri 63110, USA. dalpers@im.wustl.edu
Gastroenterology
|February 14, 2006
Summary
Glutamine (Gln) supplementation shows limited clinical efficacy for critical illness. Evidence does not support a special role or deficiency state, necessitating further research with standardized designs.
Area of Science:
- Nutrition Science
- Clinical Research
- Medical Biochemistry
Background:
- Glutamine (Gln) is the most abundant extracellular amino acid, crucial for gut physiology and high-demand cells.
- A potential Gln deficiency in critical illness is suggested by decreased plasma levels, but this is non-specific and doesn't confirm deficiency.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the preclinical rationale for glutamine supplementation.
- To evaluate prospective randomized trials on glutamine's efficacy in improving patient outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Review of preclinical data on glutamine's role.
- Analysis of prospective randomized clinical trials involving glutamine supplementation in various patient groups.
Main Results:
- Current evidence does not confirm a specific need or role for glutamine in critical illness.
- Clinical efficacy of glutamine supplementation has been difficult to demonstrate across diverse patient populations and study designs.
Conclusions:
- No firm recommendation for glutamine supplementation can be made currently.
- Future studies require standardized designs, adequate power, and longer follow-up to clarify glutamine's role.
