The impact of L-alanyl-L-glutamine dipeptide supplemented total parenteral nutrition on clinical outcome in critically patients

Summary Background & aims Glutamine supplementation has beneficial effects on morbidity and mortality in critically ill patients. We investigated the effect of L-alanyl-L-glutamine dipeptide supplemented TPN on biochemical parameters, length of stay (LOS) and mortality in 30 critically patients. Methods : Randomized, prospective, controlled, double-blind study in general intensive care unit (ICU) in Guven hospital, Turkey. 30 patients admitted to the ICU and requiring TPN for more than 5 days. The patients were randomized and analyzed in two groups; Patients received either Gln-supplemented TPN (containing L-alanyl-L-glutamine dipeptide; 0.5 g/kg per day; n  = 15) or standart Gln-free TPN (control group n  = 15). Demographics, time of TPN, APACHE II score, type of diagnosis, biochemistry, nutritional, immune parameters, ICU LOS, ICU mortality, and in-hospital mortality were analyzed and compared. Results There were no difference between groups according to the demographics, APACHE II score, the duration of TPN, diagnosis, the biochemistry except albumin, nutritional and inflammatory parameters, ICU LOS, ICU mortality, and in-hospital mortality. After 2 weeks of treatment, in Gln-supplemented TPN group exhibited significant increases in serum albumin levels ( P  = 0.006). Conclusion We found no biochemical and clinical difference between the two groups. Much trials will be necessary to identify a difference in our patient population.