A comparative study of the effect of parentral and oral glutamine on biochemical parameters and on the duration of ICU stay in critically ill patients

Abstract

Objective: To study the comparative effects of parenteral and oral glutamine therapy on biochemical parameters
and reduction in the hospital stay of critically ill patients.
Study design: Randomized controlled trial.
Methodology: 120 critically ill patients aged 16-60 years admitted to Trauma Ventilatory Unit, Trauma centre
King George Medical University, Lucknow. The patients were randomly divided into 3 equal groups, 40 in
each group: Group A (control group) received no glutamine; Group B received oral glutamine 20 g/d for 5 days
and Group C received l-alanyl-l-glutamine dipeptide 0.3 g/kg/d by intravenous infusion for 5 days. Complete
blood count was done at regular intervals of 24 hours. Total proteins and serum albumin were recorded at 5 day
intervals. Single blinding was done.
Results: The total leukocyte counts (TLC) levels in all the three groups increased after the treatment and the
observed increase was least evident in Group C (18.7%), followed by Group B (32.5%) and it was the highest in
Group A (38.2%). A similar observation was made for CRP and lymphocyte levels in all of the three groups.
However, a significant decrease was found in total protein and albumin levels. The mean duration of hospital
stay of Group C was the least followed by Group B and Group A.
Conclusion: Parenteral glutamine in a dose of 0.3 g/kg/d was more efficacious than 20 g/d oral glutamine in
increasing/decreasing in the biochemical parameters after the therapy. The duration of hospital stay was similar
in all the groups after treatment.