(ATDN) Bowel syndrome

(ATDN) Bowel syndrome

Treatment Review #16; January 1995

A new trial is studying glutamine as a treatment for leaky bowel syndrome associated with HIV infection. Leaky bowel syndrome is when the lining of the intestines thins and isn't able to repair itself. Glutamine is an amino acid required by the body that may help the lining of the intestines to grow when it's been damaged.

This trial is being done because it has been observed that when people have to take Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) in the hospital or at home, they sometimes develop leaky bowel syndrome. TPN is given to people who can't absorb enough nutrients from food. TPN doesn't have glutamine in it. When glutamine was given to the people on TPN, the lining of their intestines repaired itself. This study will look at whether treatment with glutamine can improve leaky bowels. Participants will be given tests, which are done with the urine.

After you drink some sugars, your urine is tested to see how leaky your intestines are. Participants will also have a biopsy, which is done by swallowing a small capsule after numbing the throat. Then you're x-rayed to make sure the capsule's gone into your intestine, after which it's pulled back out. The biopsy takes 15-20 minutes to perform.

After the biopsy, participants will be divided into three groups. The first two groups will take different doses of glutamine. The third group will take a placebo. Neither the participant nor the doctor will know which treatment is being given. After 28 days, permeability tests and biopsies will be done again. This is an outpatient trial.

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