Glutamine dipeptide-supplemented parenteral nutrition in patients with colorectal cancer

Summary Objectve : To study the impact of glutamine-supplemented parenteral nutrition on immune-function and protein metabolism in postoperative patients with colorectal cancer. Methods : Forty colorectal cancer patients were randomized into two groups and were administered isonitrogenous and isocaloric parenteral nutrition with (ala-gln group) or without (TPN group) glutamine dipeptide (0.3–0.4g/kg –1 d –1 ) for 7 days postoperatively. Immune function and nitrogen balance were assessed peri-operatively. Results : Compared to a matched group of patients with gastrointestinal benign diseases (control group) colorectal cancer patients showed immune suppression preoperatively. Postoperatively, from the fourth day onwards CD4, NK cell counts, CD4/CD8 ratio and IL-2R expression were higher ( P Conclusions : Glutamine dipeptide supplementation improved immune-function and nitrogen balance in patients with colorectal cancer postoperatively.