Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 26, 2026

Transaxillary First Rib Resection for Treatment of the Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Published on: September 13, 2020
The role of glutamine supplementation in thoracic and upper aerodigestive malignancies
Amalia Papanikolopoulou1, Konstantinos N Syrigos, Nikolaos Drakoulis
1a Department of Pharmacology, Athens Medical Center , Athens , Greece.
Abstract:
In cancer patients, marked glutamine (gln) depletion develops over time. Host tissues (epithelial cells and lymphocytes) that depend upon adequate stores of gln for optimal functioning can be negatively influenced. In addition, radiation and/or chemotherapy cause normal tissues damage that might be enhanced by this depletion effect. The present review evaluates in vivo clinical data about the potential beneficial role of gln administration in the prevention of host tissue toxicity, in a patient group with thoracic and upper aerodigestive malignancies (T&UAM) during cancer treatment. Publications were identified in a systematic review of MEDLINE Database from the last 2 decades (1994-2014) using key search terms and through manual searches. Overall, 13 clinical studies (9 oral/4 parenteral) evaluated the safety and tolerance of gln supply, showing a beneficial effect in the grade, duration of mucositis and esophagitis, decreased gut permeability, and weight loss. Only 1 Phase 1 clinical trial had negative results because the chemo-radiotherapy combined treatment was not feasible. The use of oral gln may especially have an important role in the prevention of acute radiation toxicities, the weight loss and the need for analgesics in patients with T&UAM, especially if the treatment plan includes combined modality therapy with chemo-radiation.
Related Concept Videos
Thoracic Aorta
The Thoracic Cage: Sternum
The sternum is the elongated bony structure on the anterior side of the thoracic cage. It consists of three parts: the manubrium, the body, and the xiphoid...
The Thoracic Cage: Ribs
Parts of a Typical Rib
A typical rib has a head, neck, and body. The posterior end of the rib is called the head, followed by a narrow neck. The head articulates primarily with the costal...
Arteries of the Upper Limbs
Pressure Relationships in Thoracic Cavity
Breathing Mechanisms
Both intra-alveolar and intrapleural pressures rely on specific lung properties. The ability to breathe—allowing air to enter the lungs...
Veins of Upper Limbs
The deep venous system is primarily composed of the ulnar and radial veins. The ulnar vein, which drains the fingers through the superficial palmar venous arches, and the radial vein, which serves the palms via the deep palmar...

