Saturday November 29, 2008
Glutamine (GlutaSolve)

Emerging literature in Critical Care nutrition shows that Glutamine supplement improves survival from Multi Organ Failure. Low plasma glutamine has been shown to be an independent predictive factor for a poor outcome. Glutamine is linked to improved immune function and fewer infections.

Glutamine is a dietary non-essential amino acid, however during situations of extreme stress a deficiency develops. Ideally, it needs 20-40 gram glutamine per day to restore plasma glutamine levels to normal.

A major demand for glutamine via glutamate is for the production of the major cellular anti-oxidant glutathione. Low intramuscular glutathione levels are correlated with low glutamine and glutamate levels in the critically ill patients. Glutamine has been shown protective to intestinal cells. Patients with severe burns, who were nevertheless fed enterally, showed a significant reduction in septicemia.

Delivery of 30g/day of glutamine jejunally in multiple-trauma patients led to a significant reduction in pneumonia, bacteraemia, and severe sepsis.

Practically, Glutamine (GlutaSolve) can be given via enteral route 1 packet (15 gram) twice a day after mixing in 100 cc of water.

Contraindications are acute renal failure without dialysis and moderate to severe hepatic failure.


Reference: Click to get article

Glutamine in the critically ill , Richard D Griffiths, Professor of Medicine (Intensive Care), University of Liverpool, UK. , lecture in Paris, June 9-10, 2005 - pdf file