Glutamine and the gastrointestinal tract

Thomas R. Ziegler, Niloofar Bazargan, Lorraine M. Leader, Robert G. Martindale

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

82 Scopus citations

Abstract

The amino acid glutamine has become one of the most intensively studied nutrients in the field of nutrition and metabolic support. A variety of studies in cell culture systems, animal models of gut mucosal atrophy, injury/repair and adaptation and a limited number of clinical trials demonstrate trophic and cytoprotective effects of glutamine in small bowel and colonic mucosal cells. Although the routine clinical use of glutamine-enriched parenteral and enteral nutrient solutions remains controversial, available data demonstrate both the safety and metabolic and clinical efficacy of glutamine treatment in selected patient groups. Basic investigations are elucidating underlying mechanisms of glutamine action in intestinal cells. These will inform preclinical and clinical investigations designed to determine glutamine efficacy in selected gastrointestinal disorders. Emerging clinical trials will further define the utility of adjunctive glutamine supplementation as a component of specialized nutrition support in gastrointestinal disease. (C) 2000 Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)355-362
Number of pages8
JournalCurrent Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care
Volume3
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 2000
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Medicine (miscellaneous)
  • Nutrition and Dietetics

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