Background \& Aims. Glutamine is a conditional essential amino acid that was found in reduced plasma amount in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients. The supplementations of glutamine and vitamin C potentially have beneficial effects on wound healing and a reduction in infection rate. In this investigation, enteral glutamine and vitamin C were provided for ICU patient, and the associated changes in proinflammatory cytokines and clinical outcomes were investigated.
Background \& Aims. Glutamine is a conditional essential amino acid that was found in reduced plasma amount in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients. The supplementation of glutamine in ICU patients has been under much debate. Another nutritional supplement, vitamin C, had a beneficial effect on wound healing and a reduction in infection rate. In this investigation, enteral glutamine and vitamin C were provided for ICU patient, and the associated changes in proinflammatory cytokines and clinical outcomes were investigated. Methods. This is a prospective double-blind randomized study for surgical ICU patients whom can sustain enteral feeding. The test group was provided with glutamine and vitamin C (the GA group); the control (C) group was provided with maltodextrin of equivalent calories as that provided in the GA group. Plasma glutamine, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and clinical data were collected and analyzed with biostatistical methods.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
41
Subjects in the GA group received enteral supplement of 10 g L-glutamine and 90 mg vitamin C per serving provided by Nutritec-Enjoy Nutrition Inc. (Taipei, Taiwan). Subjects in the C group received isocaloric maltodextrin as placebo.
Interleukin-6
Blood samples were collected for biochemical on the starting day of enteral feeding, and every 7 days or on the day of discharge from ICU.
Time frame: Blood samples were collected for biochemical analyses on the starting day of enteral feeding (day of enrollment), and every 7 days until day of discharge from ICU, or on the day of discharge from ICU, which ever is shorter, assessed up to 14 days.
Interleukin-10
Blood samples were collected for biochemical on the starting day of enteral feeding, and every 7 days or on the day of discharge from ICU.
Time frame: Blood samples were collected for biochemical analyses on the starting day of enteral feeding (day of enrollment), and every 7 days until day of discharge from ICU, or on the day of discharge from ICU, which ever is shorter, assessed up to 14 days.
Body mass index (BMI)
body height and weight were taken and body mass index (BMI) calculated at baseline.
Time frame: At enrollment.
Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score
APACHE II score was calculated to classify the disease severity.
Time frame: At enrollment.
Plasma glutamine
Blood was collected for analyses of plasma glutamine levels
Time frame: Blood samples were collected for biochemical analyses on the starting day of enteral feeding, and every 7 days or on the day of discharge from ICU, assessed up to 14 days.
Red blood cells
Blood was collected for hematological analyses
Time frame: On the starting day of enteral feeding (enrollment), and every 7 days or on the day of discharge from ICU, assessed up to 14 days.
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Hemoglobin
Blood was collected for hematological analyses
Time frame: On the starting day of enteral feeding (enrollment), and every 7 days or on the day of discharge from ICU, assessed up to 14 days.
White blood cells
Hematological analyses
Time frame: On the starting day of enteral feeding (enrollment), and every 7 days or on the day of discharge from ICU, assessed up to 14 days.
C reactive protein
Hematological analyses
Time frame: On the starting day of enteral feeding (enrollment), and every 7 days or on the day of discharge from ICU, assessed up to 14 days.
Length of hospital stay
Clinical outcome
Time frame: Up to one year
Length of ICU stay
Clinical outcome
Time frame: Up to one year
Duration of ventilator use
Clinical outcome
Time frame: Up to one year
ICU infectious complications
Clinical outcome
Time frame: Up to one year
Mortality in ICU stay
Clinical outcome
Time frame: Up to one year
Mortality in hospital stay
Clinical outcome
Time frame: Up to one year