Effect of high dose growth hormone with glutamine and no change in diet on intestinal absorption in short bowel patients: a randomised, double blind, crossover, placebo controlled study

BACKGROUND: High dose growth hormone, glutamine, and a high carbohydrate diet may improve intestinal function in short bowel patients.

AIMS: To investigate if growth hormone with glutamine and no change in diet improved intestinal function.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eight short bowel patients were randomised in a double blind crossover study between placebo and growth hormone (mean 0.12 mg/kg/day) with oral (mean 28 g/day) and parenteral glutamine (mean 5.2 g/day) for 28 days. Balance studies were performed at baseline and five days after placebo and treatment were terminated. Dietary energy, carbohydrate, and fat were maintained as usual.

RESULTS: Growth hormone with glutamine did not improve intestinal absorption of energy (baseline, placebo, treatment, mean: 46%, 48%, 46% of oral intake, respectively), carbohydrate (71%, 70%, 71%), fat (20%, 15%, 18%), nitrogen (27%, 18%, 19%), wet weight (37%, 39%, 31%), sodium (-16%, -16%, -36%), potassium (43%, 47%, 33%), calcium (-16%, -16%, -15%) or magnesium (-3%, 4%, 2%) compared with placebo or baseline (p>0.05) five days after treatment was terminated. All patients experienced adverse effects.

CONCLUSIONS: Combined high dose growth hormone and glutamine administered for four weeks did not improve intestinal absorption five days after treatment was terminated in short bowel patients on their usual diet.