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The evidence for glutamine use in the critically-ill

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 March 2007

Richard D. Griffiths
Richard D. Griffiths*
Affiliation:
Intensive Care Research Group, Department of Medicine, Duncan Building, UCD, Daulby Street, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3GA, UK
*
Corresponding Author: Dr R. D. Griffiths, fax +44 151 706 5802, email rdg@liverpool.ac.uk
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Abstract

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Research into the metabolic role of glutamine in trauma and sepsis brings evidence to suggest a conditional deficiency occurs because increased and altered tissue demands exceed endogenous production. Such a deficiency has functional implications, and the restorative provision of parenteral glutamine has been shown to offer improved clinical outcomes in a variety of conditions. In the critically-ill it is associated with improvements in immune function, and improved survival from infection leading to an overall improved outcome.

Keywords

GlutamineCritical illnessImmune functionParenteral glutamineIntensive care
Type
Symposium on ‘Evidence-based nutrition’
Information
Proceedings of the Nutrition Society , Volume 60 , Issue 3 , August 2001 , pp. 403 - 410
Copyright
Copyright © The Nutrition Society 2001

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