Glutamine for Amelioration of Radiation and Chemotherapy Associated Mucositis during Cancer Therapy.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine the benefits of glutamine supplementation in a high-protein diet for reducing mucosal damage and improving quality of life in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiation.
Results Summary
The study found that glutamine supplementation in a high-protein diet (10 grams/day) with disaccharides improved glutamine uptake by mucosal cells, reducing painful symptoms and ulceration in the head and neck region, esophagus, stomach, and small intestine. It also supported better nutrition and maintained quality of life.
Population
Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiation.
Effective Dosage
10 grams/day of glutamine in a high-protein diet + disaccharides (sucrose and/or trehalose).
Duration
Not specified.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
oral (enteral) glutamine | decrease | symptoms | cancer patients | - | reduce symptoms | #1 |
oral (enteral) glutamine | increase | quality of life | cancer patients | - | improve and/or maintain | #2 |
oral (enteral) glutamine | decrease | mucosal damage (mucositis, stomatitis, pharyngitis, esophagitis, and enteritis) | cancer patients | - | decreased | #3 |
Glutamine supplementation in a high protein diet (10 grams/day) + disaccharides, such as sucrose and/or trehalose | increase | glutamine uptake | mucosal cells | - | increases | #4 |
Glutamine supplementation in a high protein diet (10 grams/day) + disaccharides, such as sucrose and/or trehalose | decrease | painful mucosal symptoms and ulceration associated with chemotherapy and radiation in the head and neck region, esophagus, stomach and small intestine | - | - | reduce | #5 |
Glutamine is a major dietary amino acid that is both a fuel and nitrogen donor for healing tissues damaged by chemotherapy and radiation. Evidence supports the benefit of oral (enteral) glutamine to reduce symptoms and improve and/or maintain quality of life of cancer patients. Benefits include not only better nutrition, but also decreased mucosal damage (mucositis, stomatitis, pharyngitis, esophagitis, and enteritis). Glutamine supplementation in a high protein diet (10 grams/day) + disaccharides, such as sucrose and/or trehalose, is a combination that increases glutamine uptake by mucosal cells. This increased topical effect can reduce painful mucosal symptoms and ulceration associated with chemotherapy and radiation in the head and neck region, esophagus, stomach and small intestine. Topical and oral glutamine seem to be the preferred routes for this amino acid to promote mucosal healing during and after cancer treatment.