The influence of parenteral L-alanyl-L-glutamine dipeptide on the cyst
einyl-leukotriene (cys-LT) synthesizing capacity from neutrophils was
studied in patients undergoing colonic surgery. The decrease in cys-LT
, observed postoperatively, could be normalized with parenteral glutam
ine, while the cys-LT decrease persisted in controls. We conclude that
the provision of glutamine in the postoperative state improves normal
ization of neutrophil functions (e.g., generation of cys-LT), which is
an essential prerequisite for host defences.