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Exudative glutamine losses contribute to high needs after burn injury
Author(s) -
Berger Mette M.,
Binz PierreAlain,
Roux Clothilde,
Charrière Mélanie,
Scaletta Corinne,
Raffoul Wassim,
Applegate Lee Ann,
Pantet Olivier
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
journal of parenteral and enteral nutrition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.935
H-Index - 98
eISSN - 1941-2444
pISSN - 0148-6071
DOI - 10.1002/jpen.2227
Subject(s) - glutamine , leucine , interquartile range , medicine , total body surface area , enteral administration , amino acid , alanine , arginine , methionine , parenteral nutrition , exudate , surgery , gastroenterology , chemistry , biochemistry , pathology
Background Burnpatients characteristically have increased energy, glucose, and protein requirements. Glutamine supplementation is strongly recommended during early‐phase treatment and is associated with improved immunity, wound healing, and reduced mortality. This study evaluated if early burn exudative losses might contribute to higher supplementation needs. Methods Patients admitted to the burn intensive care unit (ICU) had exudate collection from tight bandages applied to arms or legs during the first week (exudate aliquot twice daily). Seven amino acids (alanine, arginine, cystEine, glutamine, leucine, lysine, and methionine) were quantified by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. Descriptive analysis of all results is provided as median and interquartile range or in value ranges. Results Eleven patients aged 19–77 years, presenting with burns on 18%–70% of the body surface, with a median simplified acute physiology score II of 33 (range, 16–56) were included during the study period. The highest amino acid losses were observed during the first 3 days with an important interpatient and intrapatient variability. Glutamine and alanine losses were highest, followed by leucine and lysine in all patients; amino acid exudate concentrations were in the range of normal plasma concentrations and were stable over time. Total glutamine losses were correlated to the burned surface (r 2 = 0.552, P = .012), but not to enteral glutamine supplements. Conclusions The study shows significant exudative losses during early‐stage burn recovery and particularly for glutamine and alanine. Glutamine loss generally decreased with wound closure, the subsequent decline of exudation, and the evolving size of burn surfaces.