Effects of alanyl-glutamine dipeptide administration on postoperative intestinal permeability and systemic inflammatory response

Objective: The study was designed to observe the effects of alanyl-glutamine(Aln-Gln) dipeptide on postoperative intestinal permeability and systemic inflammatory response.Methods: A prospective,randomized and controlled trial was taken.20 patients who underwent abdominal surgery were randomized into two groups: study group(intravenous administration of Aln-Gln dipeptide,0.5 g /(kg·d),for 4 days,n=10) and control group(equal normal saline as placebo,for 4 days,n=10).Temperatures,heart rates and respiration rates of all patients were daily recorded during administration.The white blood cell counts,serum concentrations of glutamine(Gln),diamine oxidase(DAO) and interleukin-6(IL-6) and urine lactulose/mannito(L/M) ratio were measured before and after operation.Results: Serum Gln concentration was significantly decreased in control group and increased in study group on postoperative day 5.Urine L/M ratio,serum concentrations of DAO and IL-6 were significantly increased in control group and decreased in study group.The morbidity of SIRS was significantly decreased in the study group and the score of SIRS was also lower than in the control group.Conclusions: Administration of Aln-Gln dipeptide can increase the level of serum Gln,decrease the intestinal permeability,maintain the intestinal barrier and attenuate the systemic inflammatory response in the early period of postoperative patients.Aln-Gln dipeptide can be used in the fast track surgery to help patients recover rapidly.