A new treatment for patients with short-bowel syndrome. Growth hormone, glutamine, and a modified diet.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to initially determine if growth hormone or nutrients, given alone or together, could enhance absorption from the remnant small bowel after massive intestinal resection. If clinical improvement were observed, this therapy would then be used to treat patients with the short-bowel syndrome over the long term. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Patients who undergo extensive resection of the gastrointestinal tract frequently develop malabsorption and require long-term parenteral nutrition. The authors hypothesized that the administration of growth factors and/or nutrients could enhance further compensation of the remnant intestine and thereby improve absorption. Specifically, animal studies have shown that there is enhanced cellularity with the administration of growth hormone (GH) or glutamine (GLN), or a fiber-containing diet. METHODS: Initially, 17 studies were performed in 15 total parenteral nutrition (TPN)-dependent short-bowel patients over 3 to 4 weeks in the clinical research center; the first week served as a control period, and during the next 1 to 3 weeks, the specific treatment was administered and evaluated. Throughout the study, food of known composition was provided and all stool was collected and analyzed to determine absorption across the remaining bowel. The effect of a high-carbohydrate, low-fat diet (DIET), the amino acid glutamine (GLN) and growth hormone (GH) administered alone or in combination with the other therapies (GH + GLN + DIET) was evaluated. The treatment was expanded to 47 adults (25 men, 22 women) with the short-bowel syndrome, dependent on TPN for 6 +/- 1 years. The average age was 46 +/- 2 years, and the average jejunal-ileal length was 50 +/- 7 cm (median 35 cm) in those with all or a portion of colon and 102 +/- 24 cm (median 102 cm) in those with no colon. After 28 days of therapy, the patients were discharged on only GLN + DIET. RESULTS: The initial balance studies indicated improvement in absorption of protein by 39% accompanied by a 33% decrease in stool output with the GH + GLN + DIET. In the long-term study, 40% of the group remain off TPN and an additional 40% have reduced their TPN requirements, with follow-up averaging a year and the longest being over 5 years. CONCLUSION: GH + GLN + DIET offers a potential method for providing cost-effective rehabilitation of surgical patients who have the short-bowel syndrome or other complex problems of the gastrointestinal tract. This therapeutic combination also may be useful to enhance bowel function in patients with other gastrointestinal diseases and those requiring extensive intestinal operations, including transplantation.     

Growth hormone and epidermal growth factor together enhance amino acid transport systems B(0,+) and A in remnant small intestine after massive enterectomy

BACKGROUND: Sodium-dependent brush border nutrient transport is decreased 2 weeks after massive enterectomy. This downregulation is ameliorated by a 1-week infusion of parenteral growth hormone (GH) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) started 1 week after resection. We hypothesized that glutamine (GLN) transport would be enhanced by earlier and longer growth factor infusion, with differential effects on the Na(+)-dependent GLN transport systems A, B(0,+), and B0/ASCT2. MATERIALS AND METHODS: New Zealand White rabbits underwent 70% small bowel resection then immediately received parenteral EGF, GH, both, or neither for 2 weeks. Na(+)-dependent 3H-GLN uptake by jejunal and ileal brush-border membrane vesicles was measured and the contribution of systems A, B(0,+), and B0 then determined by competitive inhibition. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance. RESULTS: In nonresected animals, the relative contribution of the systems was similar in jejunum (A, 9%, B(0,+), 20%; and B0, 71%) and ileum (A, 13%; B(0,+), 27%; and B0, 60%). Na(+)-dependent GLN uptake was reduced by half in resected, untreated controls, primarily because of decreased B(0) activity. EGF or GH alone did not affect Na(+)-dependent GLN transport, but as a combination, increased uptake in the residual ileum and jejunum by 144% and 150%, respectively, over resected controls (P<0.05). This was twice that achieved by delayed and shorter-duration combination treatment. This augmentation was due to a 6.1- to 8.2-fold increase in system A as well as a 3.8- to 3.9-fold enhancement of system B(0,+) activity in remnant ileum and jejunum (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Parenteral EGF and GH, given in combination for 2 weeks immediately after massive enterectomy, synergistically enhance GLN uptake by systems A and B(0,+).     

短肠综合征康复治疗的实验与临床研究

目的 研究生长激素对大部小肠切除后残存小肠粘膜增殖活性的影响;评价短肠康复治疗的临床疗效。方法 利用病理图象分析、流式细胞分析、免疫组化法和ＲＴ－ＰＣＲ法观察比较对照组（假手术组）、短肠组（８０％小肠切除）和生长激素组（８０％小肠切除加１Ｕ．ｋｇ＾－１．ｄ＾－１生长激素皮下注射２８ｄ）ＳＤ大鼠小肠粘膜的增殖状况。观察肠康复治疗（肌注生长激素８～１２Ｕ．ｄ＾－１加静脉滴注加谷氨酰胺０．６ｇ．ｋｇ＾－     

Growth hormone and epidermal growth factor together enhance amino acid transport systems B0,+ and A in remnant small intestine after massive enterectomy

BACKGROUND: Sodium-dependent brush-border nutrient transport is decreased 2 weeks after massive enterectomy. This down-regulation is ameliorated by a 1-week infusion of parenteral growth hormone (GH) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) started 1 week after resection. We hypothesize that glutamine (GLN) transport will be enhanced by earlier and longer growth factor infusion, with differential effects on the Na(+)-dependent GLN transport systems A, B(0,+), and B(0)/ASCT2. MATERIALS AND METHODS: New Zealand White rabbits underwent 70% small bowel resection then immediately received parenteral EGF, GH, both EGF and GH, or neither for 2 weeks. Na(+)-dependent 3H-GLN uptake by jejunal and ileal brush-border membrane vesicles was measured and the contribution of systems A, B(0,+), and B(0) was then determined by competitive inhibition. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance. RESULTS: In nonresected animals, the relative contribution of the systems was similar in jejunum (A 9%, B(0,+) 20%, and B(0) 71%) and ileum (A 13%, B(0,+) 27%, and B(0) 60%). Na(+)-dependent GLN uptake was reduced by one half in resected untreated controls, primarily because of decreased B(0) activity. EGF or GH alone did not affect Na(+)-dependent GLN transport, but, as a combination, there was increased uptake in the residual ileum and jejunum by 144% and 150%, respectively, over resected controls (P < 0.05). This was twice that achieved by delayed and shorter-duration combination treatment. This augmentation was a result of a 6.1-8.2-fold increase in system A as well as a 3.8-3.9-fold enhancement of system B(0,+) activity in remnant ileum and jejunum (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Parenteral EGF and GH, given in combination for 2 weeks immediately after massive enterectomy, synergistically enhance GLN uptake by systems A and B(0,+).     

Oral glutamine accelerates healing of the small intestine and improves outcome after whole abdominal radiation

The healing effects of glutamine given orally for 8 days as a single amino acid nutrient after treatment with whole abdominal radiation (10 Gy) were studied. Rats received isonitrogenous and isovolumic diets containing 3% glutamine or 3% glycine. Control rats were not irradiated but were given identical diets. In irradiated animals, survival was 100% in animals receiving glutamine compared with 45% in animals receiving glycine. Glutamine ingestion diminished bloody diarrhea and the incidence of bowel perforation. Arterial glutamine level was higher in animals receiving glutamine in the diet, as were gut glutamine extraction (35% +/- 8% vs 12% +/- 7%) and intestinal glutaminase activity. These metabolic improvements were associated with a marked increase in villous height, villous number, and the number of mitoses per crypt in rats receiving glutamine. Glutamine was not beneficial in control nonirradiated animals. The data demonstrated that provision of oral glutamine after abdominal radiation supported gut glutamine metabolism, improved mucosal morphometrics, and decreased the morbidity and mortality associated with this abdominal radiation model.     

Growth hormone together with glutamine-containing total parenteral nutrition maintains muscle glutamine levels and results in a less negative nitrogen balance after surgical trauma

BACKGROUND: Muscle protein catabolism, reflected by a decrease in glutamine (GLN), a decrease in muscle protein synthesis, and a negative nitrogen balance can be reduced by either administration of GLN or growth hormone (GH). In this study, the effects of a combination of GH and GLH were studied. METHODS: Patients (n = 16) undergoing abdominal operation were given total parenteral nutrition (TPN) containing either GLN alone or GLN together with GH (GH/GLN) during 3 postoperative days. The amino acid concentration and protein synthesis in muscle tissue and the nitrogen balance were measured. RESULTS: GH/GLN reduced nitrogen losses compared with GLN alone (-5.8 +/- 1.4 g nitrogen versus -10.6 +/- 1.1 g nitrogen, P <.05). GH/GLN maintained muscle GLN at preoperative levels compared with a 47.5% +/- 6.3% decline in the GLN group. A similar decrease was seen in the fractional synthesis rate of muscle protein postoperatively in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: GH has an additive effect given together with GLN on muscle amino acid metabolism, preventing the decrease in the GLN concentration in skeletal muscle and diminishing the loss of whole body nitrogen. However, the improvements in muscle amino acid concentrations and nitrogen loss were not associated with differences between the groups in muscle protein synthesis postoperatively.     

Growth hormone and insulinlike growth factor 1 promote intestinal uptake and hepatic release of glutamine in sepsis.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of growth hormone (GH) and insulinlike growth factor 1 (IGF-1) on whole body and gastrointestinal (GI), hepatic, femoral, and renal glutamine (GLN) uptake and release in septic piglets. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: The GI metabolism of GLN is impaired during sepsis, and this may contribute to a breakdown of the gut's mucosal barrier. GH treatment has produced increased GI GLN uptake in surgical stress. Little is known about the effects of GH and IGF-1 in sepsis. METHODS: Twenty-four piglets were randomized to three groups of eight each: a GH group received a bolus of 16 IU of Genotropin; an IGF-1 group received a continuous infusion of 1.3 mg/hour of IGF-1; and a control group received saline. After surgical preparation, sepsis was induced with live Escherichia coli bacteria. Using isotope technique, whole body turnover and organ-specific absolute uptake and release were measured before and 4 hours after sepsis. RESULTS: After sepsis, both GH and IGF-1 treatment increased GI GLN uptake compared with controls and induced hepatic release of GLN. GLN release from skeletal muscle was diminished in all groups after sepsis. Whole body GLN turnover was increased in the GH and IGF-1 groups compared with the controls, before and after sepsis. CONCLUSIONS: GH and IGF-1 treatment induced increased GI net uptake of GLN. GH and IGF-1 treatment also promoted absolute and net release of GLN from the liver. This release might facilitate increased GI uptake despite reduced hindleg release in the early phase of sepsis.     

谷氨酰胺肠外营养对大鼠移植小肠营养作用的研究

作者研究了加谷氨酰胺的肠外营养对大鼠移植小肠萎缩及功能低下的预防作用。对Ｗｉｓｔａｒ鼠行近段空肠移植,然后给予肠外营养１０天。实验组给予加３％丙氨酰－谷氨酰胺的营养液,而对照组给予含等氮量非必需氨基酸的营养液。结果显示：实验组移植小肠的绒毛高度、粘膜厚度、腺窝深度和绒毛表面积均明显大于对照组;实验组移植小肠粘膜上皮细胞的超微结构基本保持完好,而对照组则出现线粒体肿胀,嵴断裂和微绒毛萎缩。实验组移植小肠对１５Ｎ－甘氨酸的吸收率明显高于对照组。结果提示：加谷氨酰胺的肠外营养能促进大鼠移植小肠粘膜增生,维持粘膜细胞超微结构的完整,并能改善其对氨基酸的吸收能力。     

Growth hormone, glutamine, and an optimal diet reduces parenteral nutrition in patients with short bowel syndrome: a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial

OBJECTIVE: To determine if growth hormone (GH) and glutamine (Gln) might allow for a reduction in parenteral nutrition (PN) in individuals with short bowel syndrome. BACKGROUND DATA: Following massive intestinal resection, patients frequently sustain severe nutrient malabsorption and are dependent on PN for life. GH treatment with or without Gln might allow for a reduction in PN. METHODS: A prospective, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial performed in 41 adults dependent on PN. Following screening, patients were admitted to an in-house facility for 6 weeks. After 2 weeks of stabilization and dietary optimization, patients were randomized to one of 3 treatment arms (1:2:2 ratio): oral Gln (30 g/day) + GH placebo (control group, n = 9), Gln placebo + GH (0.1 mg/kg per day, n = 16), or Gln + GH (n = 16). Standard criteria based on clinical and laboratory measurements were followed to determine PN volume and content. After 4 weeks of treatment, patients were discharged and monitored; GH and GH placebo were discontinued, but the diet with Gln or Gln placebo was continued for 3 months. RESULTS: Patients receiving GH + Gln placebo + diet showed greater reductions in PN volume (5.9 +/- 3.8 L/wk, mean +/- SD), PN calories (4338 +/- 1858 calories/wk), and PN infusions (3 +/- 2 infusions/wk) than corresponding reductions in the Gln + diet group (3.8 +/- 2.4 L/wk; 2633 +/- 1341 calories/wk; 2 +/- 1 infusions/wk, P < 0.05). Patients who received GH + Gln + diet showed the greatest reductions (7.7 +/- 3.2 L/wk; 5751 +/- 2082 calories/wk; 4 +/- 1 infusions/wk, P < 0.001 versus Gln + diet). At the 3-month follow-up, only patients who had received GH + Gln + diet maintained significant reductions in PN (P < 0.005) compared with the Gln + diet. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with GH + diet or GH + Gln + diet initially permitted significantly more weaning from PN than Gln + diet. Only subjects receiving GH + Gln + diet maintained this effect for at least 3 months.     

Effect of glutamine on glutathione,IGF-I,and TGF-beta 1

BACKGROUND: Our previous results have showed that oral glutamine (GLN) supplementation decreased carcinogenesis in 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]antracene (DMBA) breast cancer model. We also have found that GLN raises blood glutathione (GSH) levels in an implantable breast cancer model. The process of tumor growth was accompanied by depressed GSH production and increased levels of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta 1). GSH is counter-regulatory to IGF-I. We therefore hypothesized that in DMBA model of breast cancer, the increased GSH levels seen with oral GLN would be associated with lowered levels of IGF-I &TGF-beta(1). METHODS: Time-dated pubertal Sprague-Dawley rats were gavaged at time 0 with 1 g/kg/day glutamine (GLN) (n = 18), isonitrogenous Freamine (FA) (n = 18), or water (H(2)O) (n = 18). Rats were further randomized on day 7 to 100 mg/kg DMBA or oil. After 14 days, the animals were sacrificed and blood GSH, IGF-1, TGF-beta 1, breast tissue, and gut mucosa GSH levels were measured. RESULTS: Oral GLN increased significantly blood, breast tissue, and gut mucosa levels of GSH in both DMBA and control groups in comparison with the control groups not treated with GLN. At the same time, the levels of blood IGF-I and TGF-beta 1 decreased significantly in both DMBA-treated and control groups. DMBA did not significantly affect any of these levels. CONCLUSIONS ;Oral GLN increased GSH levels and lowered IGF-I and TGF-beta 1 in a range that is considered clinically significant. However, the effect of GLN in maintaining normal gut GSH production in the presence of DMBA was much more significant. Inconsistent with our hypothesis, reduction in IGF and TGF-beta 1 levels did not correlate with DMBA's effect on gut GSH production.     

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??Clinical evidence of nutritional rehabilitation for short bowel syndrome: a meta-analysis of clinical trials YAN Zhong-fang* , QI Yu-mei, LU Wei, et al. * Haihe Hospital of Tianjin, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300350, China Corresponding author: QI Yu-mei, E-mail: qym0305@yahoo.com.cn Abstract Objective To assess the safety and efficacy of growth hormone (GH) and glutamine (GLN) combined with a modified (high-carbohydrate-low-fat, HCLF) diet in patients with short bowel syndrome. Methods A meta-analysis of all the relevant clinical trials was performed. Clinical trials were identified from the following electronic databases between January 1995 and March 2008: MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, Chinese Bio-medicine Database. The search was undertaken in May 2008. Language was restricted to Chinese and English. Literature references were checked at the same time. Clinical trials were extracted and evaluated by two reviewers independently of each other. The statistical analysis was performed by Rev Man4.2 software which was provided by the Cochrane Collaboration. The value of P <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results Eleven trials involving 201 patients were included. The combined results showed that GH, GLN and HCLF diet had positive treatment effect on body weight, stool output, lean body mass, absorption of D-xylose, and IGF-1. But there were no improvements in fat mass, absorption of energy, absorption of carbohydrates, absorption of nitrogen and absorption of fat. Conclusion Treatment with a combination of low-dose GH, GLN and HCLF diet is effective without any major adverse effects in patients with short bowel syndrome. Further trials are required, especially in children, with sufficient size and rigorous design.     

Both growth hormone and exogenous glutamine increase gastrointestinal glutamine uptake in trauma.

OBJECTIVE: The authors studied the effect of exogenous glutamine (GLN), with and without growth hormone (GH), pretreatment, on gastrointestinal, hepatic, femoral, and renal GLN fluxes. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Growth hormone treatment increases gastrointestinal uptake of GLN despite a reduced skeletal muscle and whole body release. METHODS: Piglets were randomized to a GH + GLN group (n = 8), a GLN group (n = 8), a GH group (n = 8), and a control group (CON; n = 8). Genotropin (Pharmacia, Stockholm, Sweden; 24 international units; correspondingly saline in the GLN and the CON group) was given daily 3 days before and at the onset of trauma (surgery). Organ fluxes and whole body release of GLN were determined 1 and 5 hours after surgery. An infusion of GLN 36 micrograms/kg per minute was started after the first measurement in the GH + GLN and the GLN groups. RESULTS: Both GH treatment and exogenous GLN increased gastrointestinal GLN uptake (p = 0.001 and p = 0.02, respectively). Growth hormone treatment reduced hepatic GLN uptake (p = 0.001). Hepatic GLN uptake was lower in the GH + GLN group versus the GH group (p = 0.02), but not in the GLN group versus the CON group (p = 0.98). Growth hormone treatment reduced femoral and whole-body GLN release (p = 0.0001 and p = 0.02, respectively). Renal GLN uptake was higher in the two GH-treated groups (p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: Both exogenous GLN and GH increased gastrointestinal GLN uptake, and the combination was additive. In contrast to exogenous GLN, GH reduced hepatic uptake and consequently facilitated the increased gastrointestinal GLN uptake that occurred despite reduced femoral and whole-body release.     

Influence of exogenous porcine growth hormone on vitamin D metabolism and calcium and phosphorus absorption in intact pigs

The influence of growth hormone (GH) on vitamin D metabolism and calcium and phosphorus absorption in vivo is not clear. We, therefore, measured calcium and phosphorus balance, plasma 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)₂D), and intestinal vitamin D-dependent calcium-binding protein (CaBP 9k) in intact growing pigs given exogenous GH. Six 10-week-old pigs were given two daily subcutaneous injections of 50 g porcine GH/kg body weight for 2 months; six control pigs were given vehicle. They were all fed a diet containing 1.1% Ca, 0.6% P, and 1000 IU vitamin D₃/kg. Apparent Ca and P absorption and retention were measured in a 10-day balance trial at the end of the 2 months. The plasma levels of Ca, P, 1,25(OH)₂D, IGF-I, and GH were determined, and the duodenal and jejunal mucosal CaBP 9k content was measured at slaughter. The plasma Ca and P of GH-treated pigs were unchanged, but all aspects of mineral metabolism, including the plasma 1,25(OH)₂D concentration (40%), Ca absorption and retention (70%), P absorption (33%) and retention (45%), and jejunal CaBP 9k (40%), were stimulated, in addition to an increase in the circulating IGF-I concentration.     

Early gastrointestinal regulatory peptide response to intestinal resection in the rat is stimulated by enteral glutamine supplementation.

BACKGROUND: Intestinal resection stimulates the synthesis and release of gastrointestinal peptides that regulate the growth and adaptation of the mucosa. Luminal nutrients are necessary for optimal proliferation and glutamine is the preferential nutrient to the small bowel. The interplay between glutamine and regulatory peptides could be important in treating short bowel syndrome. METHODS: 63 Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 3 groups: resection; transection, or controls. After intestinal resection animals were orally fed either a diet without glutamine or a glutamine-supplemented diet for 2 days. Transected animals and controls without prior surgery were fed the same two diets. Epidermal growth factor (EGF), transforming growth factor-alpha, insulin-like growth factors I and II (IGF-I and IGF-II), peptide YY (PYY), and enteroglucagon were analyzed in mucosa from the proximal jejunum, distal ileum as well as in portal plasma when the animals were euthanized 72 h after surgery. RESULTS: Intestinal resection resulted in an early increase in portal plasma concentrations of PYY, EGF, enteroglucagon, and mucosal IGF-II and EGF content that were significant in glutamine-treated animals. Glutamine significantly increased PYY in portal blood after resection (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Glutamine could be of importance for the functional adaptation of residual small bowel mucosa by increasing PYY release.     

脂肪酸、二磷酸果糖和谷氨酰胺对大鼠移植小肠粘膜细胞增殖和凋亡的作用

目的探讨ｎ３脂肪酸、１,６二磷酸果糖和谷氨酰胺对移植小肠粘膜细胞增殖和凋亡的作用。方法１９６只近交系Ｗｉｓｔａｒ大鼠分别作为供、受体行全小肠异位移植,术前和术后分别用ｎ３脂肪酸灌胃、１,６二磷酸果糖及谷氨酰胺静脉输注１０天,应用流式细胞术和细胞凋亡原位检测的方法分析小肠粘膜细胞增殖和凋亡的变化。结果移植小肠粘膜细胞增殖低下,凋亡增加。补充外源性ｎ３脂肪酸、１,６二磷酸果糖和谷氨酰胺后,移植小肠粘膜细胞的增殖加速,凋亡减少。结论ｎ３脂肪酸、１,６二磷酸果糖和谷氨酰胺特殊营养支持可显著地增加移植小肠粘膜细胞的增殖活性,同时也不同程度地抑制细胞凋亡发生,这种调控作用有助于改善移植小肠的结构和吸收功能。     

Effect of various trophic factors on bacterial translocation in experimental short bowel syndrome

Massive bowel resection triggers an adaptive process in the remaining intestine in spite of which, bacterial translocation (BT) is frequent under these conditions. Several trophic factors, including growth hormone (GH), epidermal growth factor (EGF) and insuline (INS) are involved in the process of adaptation in short bowel syndrome (SBS). However, the effect of GH, EGF or INS on BT has not been investigated experimentally. The aim of the study was to test the hypothesis that GH, EGF or INS administration prevents BT in rats with SBS receiving only parenteral nutrition (PN). Thirty-seven adult Wistar rats underwent central venous cannulation and were randomly assigned to one of two groups receiving for ten days four treatment regimes: PN group (N = 10) fasting, all-in-one PN solution (300 mL/kg/24 h, 280 kcal/kg/24 h), 80% gut resection including ileo-cecal valve. GH group (N = 9) fasting, same PN regime and resection plus GH (1 mg/kg/d, s.c.). EGF group (N = 9): same PN regime and resection plus EGF (150 microgr/24 h, e.v.) INS group(N = 9): same PN regime and resection plus INS (1 U.I./100 g/24 h s.c.) At the end of the experiment the rats were exanguinated and mesenteric lymph nodes and samples of systemic and portal blood were obtained and cultured. Several samples of full-thickness jejunal wall were taken for measuring cell proliferation index (PCNA) and mucosal thickness. Jejunal mucosal thickness increased by 30%, 28% and 29% and PCNA index by 21%, 20% and 25% in GH, EGF and INS, treated rats respectively in comparison with those treated with PN alone. However, contrary to our expectations, BT expressed by positive culture of intestinal germs in systemic blood was demonstrated respectively in 44%, 40% and 28% of GH, EGF and INS animals, respectively, and in 0% of PN-only rats. Although exogenous GH, EGF or INS improves gut mucosal structure in rats with SBS treated with PN, it seems to increase rather than decrease mucosal permeability to intestinal germs in them.     

The effect of growth hormone supplementation on late nutritional independence in pediatric patients with short bowel syndrome

Purpose

The use of growth hormone (GH) supplementation for intestinal adaptation among adult patients with short bowel syndrome (SBS) has provided mixed results. This report examines the effect of GH supplementation on SBS in pediatric patients.

Methods

Two girls with SBS from neonatal gastrointestinal catastrophes received exogenous GH at 0.3 mg/kg per week subcutaneously and concurrent glutamine supplementation, beginning at 6 and 6½ years of age. Changes in growth (height and weight) and changes in enteral and parenteral energy requirements were evaluated.

Results

Treatment duration was 8 and 2.5 years, respectively. Patient weights increased from the 5th to the 41st percentile and from the 17th to the 23rd percentile, respectively. Height increased from the 1st to the 57th percentile in the former patient and increased from less than the 1st to the 17th percentile in the latter. Both patients are independent of parenteral nutrition and take enteral nutrition alone. Tolerance for enteral diets was significantly improved in each girl, with only 2 stools per day maintained in one patient.

Conclusions

The data show that late exogenous treatment with GH and glutamine supplementation improved growth parameters in pediatric patients with SBS. Growth hormone and glutamine supplementation may be beneficial in promoting late intestinal adaptation in pediatric patients with SBS. These data also suggest that these adjuncts may be useful in the early phases of intestinal adaptation.     

The effects of glutamine-enriched total parenteral nutrition on tumor growth and host tissues.

The effects of glutamine-enriched total parenteral nutrition (TPN+GLN) were studied in tumor-bearing rats because glutamine can benefit host tissues but also may stimulate tumor growth. Rats were implanted with the methylcholanthrene-induced fibrosarcoma (MCA sarcoma) and were studied when the tumor constituted less than 5% of carcass weight (small tumor) and when the tumor constituted 10% of carcass weight (large tumor). Provision of 20% of TPN protein as glutamine produced a significant increase in the arterial glutamine level and maintained the skeletal muscle intracellular glutamine concentration (2.02 +/- 0.1 versus 1.39 +/- 0.07 mumol/g, p less than 0.01). Concurrently, hindquarter GLN fractional release increased nearly threefold (p less than 0.05) in the TPN+GLN group. Glutamine-enriched total parenteral nutrition did not affect carcass weight, tumor weight, tumor DNA content, or tumor glutaminase activity. Furthermore, DNA flow cytometric analysis did not demonstrate any difference in percentage of aneuploid tumor cells within the G1, S, or G2M cell cycles. However, the ratio of aneuploid to diploid cells within the tumor mass increased by 20% in animals receiving glutamine. Glutamine-enriched total parenteral nutrition had no effect on tumor glutathione (GSH) levels. No increase in hepatic GSH levels was observed, but gut mucosal GSH levels were 20% greater in the TPN+GLN group (p less than 0.05). The provision of glutamine-enriched TPN may be beneficial to the host by maintaining skeletal muscle glutamine stores and by supporting gut GSH biosynthesis. In this tumor model, TPN+GLN does not appear to increase tumor size, tumor DNA content, or tumor glutamine metabolism, but the ratio of tumor cells to host infiltrating cells within the tumor mass appears to be increased.     

Growth hormone and renal function

Summary: Recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) has been recognized to be beneficial for improving growth retardation in uraemic children. the potential effect of growth hormone (GH) on renal haemodynamics results in an increase in glomerular filtration rate and renal plasma flow. However, in GH transgenic mice and uraemic rats treated with GH, GH has been reported to aggravate glomerular sclerosis and induce deterioration in renal function. Therefore, the potential of adverse effect of GH on deterioration in renal function has been of concern in uraemic children receiving rhGH. Growth hormone enhances protein anabolism and promotes a positive nitrogen balance. It is more likely that the anabolic effect of GH used at the conventional dose may reduce renal solute load and slow the progression of end-stage renal failure (ESRF) in rhGH-treated uraemic children. A low protein diet with adequate calories slows the deterioration of renal function in uraemic patients. the effects of GH on growth promotion, renal haemodynamics and protein anabolism are mainly mediated by insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I). Insulinlike growth factor-I enhances glomerular filtration rate and promotes glomerular hypertrophy, but IGF-I administration is unlikely to give rise to glomerular sclerosis. the efficacy and the safety of concomitant therapy of recombinant GH or IGF-I and low protein diet should therefore be considered in uraemic children.     

Oral glutamine reduces bacterial translocation following abdominal radiation

The effect of dietary glutamine on bacterial translocation was studied in rats following administration of a single dose of abdominal radiation (1000 rad) that causes a reproducible mucosal injury and results in a high incidence of culture-positive mesenteric lymph nodes after radiation (XRT). Following XRT, rats received only the amino acid glutamine (3%, +GLN) in their drinking water or a control nonessential amino acid (glycine, -GLN). Diets were isonitrogenous and isovolumetric. Four days after XRT, rats were anesthetized and a laparotomy was performed. Mesenteric lymph nodes were sterilely excised and cultured. Arterial blood was also obtained for whole blood glutamine determination. Control rats received no XRT but received identical diets. In XRT rats who received the GLN-free diet, the incidence of culture-positive mesenteric lymph nodes was 89% (eight of nine rats) while in the radiated rats receiving the GLN-enriched diet, the incidence fell to 20% (P less than 0.05). In non-radiated control rats receiving GLN-enriched and GLN-depleted diets for 4 days, bacterial translocation occurred in zero of eight and one of eight rats, respectively (NS). Provision of glutamine to XRT rats resulted in higher blood levels of glutamine (408 +/- 25 microM in XRT +GLN vs 311 +/- 19 microM in XRT -GLN, P less than 0.05). In addition, provision of GLN maintained mucosal mass and reduced weight loss (P less than 0.05). The data lend further support to the hypothesis that glutamine helps maintain the gut mucosal barrier and thereby decreases the incidence of bacterial translocation following bowel injury.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)