Objective:Since endogenous production of glutamine is reduced during critical illness and is a prognostic marker of sepsis, we studied the effect of glutamine therapy on biochemical parameters and the hospital stay of critically ill patients.

Methods:

Sixty patients who were admitted to intensive care unit were randomly divided into: Group 1 (received no glutamine), Group 2 (received oral glutamine), and Group 3 (received L–alanyl–L–glutamine dipeptide).Total leukocyte count (TLC), total lymphocyte count, total protein and serum albumin, serum lactate, and sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score were recorded on each day for 7 days and were compared.

Results: Decrease in the TLC, increase in lymphocyte count, decrease in serum lactate and increase in serum protein and albumin was most evident in Group 3 compared to Groups 2 and 1.

Conclusion: Parenteral glutamine in a dose of 0.3 g/kg/d was more potent than oral glutamine in improving the biochemical parameters.