Random pairs and double-blind study of glutamine on protein metabolism in severe burn

Objective To study the effect of glutamine on protein metabolism in severe burned patients. Methods Thirty nine severe burn patients with total burn surface area of 30%～60% and full thickness burn area of 20%～50% were randomly divided into 2 groups: control (C, 19 patients) and glutamine treatment group (GLN group, 20 patients). The former were give placebo 0 5 g·kg -1 ·d -1 for 7 d and the later received glutamine granules in a same way. The concentrations of plasma glutamine and proteins and urine nitrogen were determined. Wound healing rate 30 d after hospitalization and hospital duration were recorded. Results After 7 d of medication, the plasma concentrations of glutamine, prealbumin and transferrin were significant higher in the patients of GLN group than them before medication and those of C group ( P 0 01), and total protein and albumin concentrations were obviously higher in GLN group than in them before the treatment ( P 0 01), but had no difference with C group. On the other hand, the content of urinenitrogen was lower in GLN group than in C group. In addition, the wound healing became faster and hospital duration was shorter in GLN group than C group ( P 0.01). Conclusion Taking glutamine could promote protein synthesis, abate protein decompose, increase wound healing rate and reduce hospital duration obviously in burned patients.