Gastroenterology
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Glutamine dipeptide-supplemented parenteral nutrition maintains intestinal function in the critically ill.
Long-term total parenteral nutrition is accompanied with mucosal atrophy and subsequent malabsorption syndrome. Current information attests the important role of glutamine in maintaining intestinal structure and function. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of glutamine dipeptide supplementation on small intestinal absorption capacity during critical illness. ⋯ The results strongly suggest that glutamine dipeptide-containing total parenteral nutrition prevents intestinal atrophy and increased permeability associated with glutamine-free parenteral nutrition.