Glutamine nutrition in the management of radiation enteritis

Abstract

Although glutamine-supplemented diets appear to be beneficial in the model described here, carefully designed clinical trials must be done before such therapy is recommended in patients receiving XRT. Such studies should examine the efficacy of glutamine-enriched parenteral nutrition as well as enteral feedings. They must address the issue of potential stimulation of tumor growth by glutamine supplementation. In addition, the question has been raised as to whether glutamine will result in the tumor being more refractory to radiation therapy.