Glutamine supplementation in cystic fibrosis: A randomized placebo-controlled trial

• Published in: Pediatric pulmonology 2016-03, Vol.51 (3), p.253-257
• Main Authors: Forrester, Doug L., Knox, Alan J., Smyth, Alan R., Barr, Helen L., Simms, Rebecca, Pacey, Sarah J., Pavord, Ian D., Honeybourne, David, Dewar, Jane, Clayton, Andy, Fogarty, Andrew W.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Anti-Bacterial Agents - therapeutic use; cystic fibrosis; Cystic Fibrosis - complications; Dietary Supplements; Double-Blind Method; Female; glutamine; Glutamine - therapeutic use; Humans; infection; Male; nutrition; Pseudomonas aeruginosa - isolation & purification; Pseudomonas Infections - drug therapy; Respiratory Tract Infections - complications; Respiratory Tract Infections - drug therapy; Treatment Outcome; Young Adult
• ISSN: 8755-6863; 1099-0496
• DOI: 10.1002/ppul.23370

Summary Rationale Pulmonary infection and malnutrition in cystic fibrosis are associated with decreased survival. Glutamine has a possible anti‐microbial effect, with a specific impact against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. We aimed to test the hypothesis that oral glutamine supplementation (21 g/day) for 8 weeks in adults with cystic fibrosis would decrease pulmonary inflammation and improve clinical status. Methods The study design was a randomized double‐blind placebo‐controlled study design with an iso‐nitrogenous placebo. The primary analysis was intention to treat, and the primary outcome was change in induced sputum neutrophils. Results Thirty‐nine individuals were recruited and thirty‐six completed the study. Glutamine supplementation had no impact on any of the outcome measures in the intention‐to‐treat analysis. In the per protocol analysis, glutamine supplementation was associated with an increase in induced sputum neutrophils (P = 0.046), total cells (P = 0.03), and in Pseudomonas isolation agar colony forming units (P = 0.04) compared to placebo. Conclusions There was no effect of glutamine supplementation on markers of pulmonary inflammation in the intention‐to‐treat analysis. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2016;51:253–257. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.