The effect of enteral nutrition on the plasma glutamine concentration in acute pancreatitis patients

Objective: To investigate the effect of enteral nutrition on the plasma glutamine concentration in acute pancreatitis patients.Methods: All patients were placed by nasojejunal tubes after the intestinal function was restored.The blood samples were drawn at 0、0.5、1.0、1.5、2.0、2.5、3.0、3.5、4.0、(5.0) and 6.0 h after beginning enteral nutrition.On the second day,the blood was sampled at 0、0.5、(1.0、)1.5、2.0、2.5、3.0、3.5、4.0、5.0 and 6.0h after stopping enteral nutrition.The glutamine concentration was assayed by HPLC.Results: The plasma glutamine concentration of all patients immediately dropped after stopping enteral nutrition.The plasma glutamine concentration was maintained from 400 to 600 μmol/L after the patients were given enteral nutrition.Six patients obviously increased after enteral nutrition,while four patients gradually improved after a period of low level.Conclusion: The plasma glutamine concentration was maintained at the normal level in acute pancreatitis patients after enteral nutrition was given.However,the increase of glutamine level was different at the rate and degree because the intestinal function of patients was not the same.