IMMUNE MODULATION FOLLOWING PARENTERAL GL UTAMINE PROVISION IN COLONIC SURGERY

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.