Glutamine in parenteral nutrition: more food for thought
Open Access
- 1 July 1999
- Vol. 45 (1) , 6-7
- https://doi.org/10.1136/gut.45.1.6
Abstract
See article on page 82 Until recently glutamine had not been included in commercial parenteral nutrition solutions. This is because of concerns about its spontaneous degradation, which results in the formation of pyroglutamic acid and ammonia. However, the degradation rate is slower than previously thought, especially in dextrose containing parenteral nutrition solutions.1 2 Therefore, parenteral nutrition solutions containing free glutamine can be stored at 4°C for at least a few days before clinical use. The study by Powell-Tuck et al (see page 82) is one of a handful of studies that has included free glutamine in parenteral nutrition solutions. Stable synthetic glutamine containing dipeptides are also available as an alternative source of glutamine. In considering how much glutamine should be added to parenteral nutrition solutions it is useful to refer to the normal dietary intake. Surprisingly, the quantities of glutamine in normal diets are not accurately known because food tables usually report glutamine and glutamate in combination (glutamine is liberated during hydrolysis of proteins and is converted to glutamate). However, it is estimated that roughly 5 g glutamine are ingested daily by healthy people, and a similar amount is probably delivered by enteral tube feeds. In Powell-Tuck et al ’s study 20 g glutamine was …Keywords
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