Glutamine in Critically Ill Patients

Overview

Glutamine is the most abundant amino acid in the body, and is the preferred energy substrate for lymphocytes, enterocytesand neutrophils. This amino acid plays also a central role in amino acid and carbohydrate metabolism. Glutamine deficiencyis common in those who remain critically ill for more than a few days and may result in impaired immune function, thusincreasing susceptibility to infection. There is growing evidence that glutamine, alone or in combination, exerts beneficialeffects on the clinical outcome and infectious complications in critically ill patients. Glutamine enriched nutritional supportmay not reduce the overall incidence of acquired infection intensive care units,but it is safe and could be valuable supportingtherapy for patients at risk of repeated infections to help to reduce their risk of dying from infection ormultiple organ failure.

Key words:
glutamine – critically ill – metabolism – infection – immune nutrition