Effects of oral glutamine supplementation on children with solid tumors receiving chemotherapy
Arzu Okur1, Fatih Süheyl Ezgü, Leyla Tümer
1Department of Pediatric Metabolism and Nutrition, Gazi University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey. arzu@okur.net
Insights
Oral glutamine supplementation improved immune and nutritional markers in children with solid tumors undergoing chemotherapy. Glutamine may reduce the need for antibiotics during treatment.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Clinical Nutrition
- Immunology
Background:
- Limited data exists on glutamine's role in pediatric cancer patients' immune function.
- Previous studies suggest glutamine benefits adult cancer patients' immunity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of oral glutamine supplementation on pediatric cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.
- To assess changes in nutritional and immunological parameters with glutamine support.
Main Methods:
- 21 children (aged 1-17) with solid tumors received oral glutamine (4 g/m2/day) during chemotherapy.
- A control group received the same chemotherapy protocol without glutamine.
- Nutritional and immunological parameters were compared between supplemented and control courses.
Main Results:
- Significant improvements were observed in certain nutritional and immunological parameters with glutamine supplementation.
- Glutamine administration appeared to decrease the requirement for antibiotics.
- No adverse effects were mentioned.
Conclusions:
- Oral glutamine supplementation shows promise in improving outcomes for children with solid tumors receiving chemotherapy.
- Further research is warranted to confirm these findings and optimize glutamine's role in pediatric oncology.
Abstract:
In recent years, there have been reports that glutamine support improves immune functions in adult patients with malignancy, but there is a lack of data in children. Oral glutamine support of 4 g/m2/day was given to 21 children with various solid tumors, aged 1-17 years (9.86 +/- 5.38) for all 5 days of a chemotherapy course. The same parameters in another course of the same protocol without glutamine supplementation were considered as controls. There were significant improvements of some nutritional and immunological parameters in the glutamine-supplemented course. Also glutamine seemed to reduce antibiotic necessity. Oral glutamine supplementation could be considered in children with solid tumors receiving chemotherapy.
