Glutamine dipeptide-supplemented parenteral nutrition in patients with colorectal cancer

Objectve: To study the impact of glutamine-supplemented parenteral nutrition on immune-function and protein metabolism in postoperative patients with cotorectal cancer. Methods: Forty colorectal cancer patients were randomized into two groups and were administered isonitrogenous and isocaloric parenteral nutrition with (ala-gln group) or without (TPN group) glutamine dipeptide (0.3-0.4g/kg(-1)d(-1)) for 7 days postoperatively. Immune function and nitrogen balance were assessed perioperatively. Results: Compared to a matched group of patients with gastrointestinal benign diseases (control group) colorectal cancer patients showed immune suppression preoperatively. Postoperatively, from the fourth day onwards CD4, NK cell counts, CD4/CD8 ratio and IL-2R expression were higher (P < 0.05) in the ala-gln group as compared with the TPN group. Nitrogen balance became positive from postoperative day 4 onwards in the ala-gln group, whereas it remained negative in the TPN group for the study period. Conclusions: Glutamine dipeptide supplementation improved immune-function and nitrogen balance in patients with colorectal cancer postoperatively. (c) 2004 Published by Elsevier Ltd.