Oral glutamine in the prevention of neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis and other gastrointestinal mucosal damage

摘要

A method of preventing necrotizing tissue injury in the gastrointestinal tract comprising orally administering glutamine is disclosed. Glutamine protects tissues along the gastrointestinal tract by blocking translocation of bacterial agents such as gram (-) bacteria, other infectious agents, toxins, chemicals and injurious substances. The intraluminal/apical presence of the glutamine optimizes mucosal defense and increases nutrient absorption. Enteral glutamine is useful in treating neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis for reducing inflammation caused by bacterial translocation and injury. Oral glutamine is also useful in treating gastrointestinal dysfunctions. When glutamine is orally administered, it coats gastrointestinal mucosa thereby treating infectious and/or inflammatory conditions of the gastrointestinal tract. It is useful in treating pathologic conditions with lowered transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) by acting as a curative agent.