L-alanyl-l-glutamine dipeptide-supplemented total parenteral nutrition

Abstract

Glutamine is the most abundant free amino acidin the human body. It plays an important role in cellular metabolism and proliferation, as well as in immune regulation. It has been considered as "conditionally essential" incritical illnesses. The benefits behind using parenteral nutrition supplemented with glutamine on critically ill patientshave received extensive support for many years from in vitro studies, animal models, and human studies. All of these have been further reinforced through systematic reviewing and meta-analysis. However, results from recent studies indicate that its prescription is controversial, it could be non-beneficial, and it may even be harmful if the patient type, timing, and dosage are not carefully selected.