Glutamine is the most abundant amino acid in the body, and is the preferred energy substrate for lymphocytes, enterocytes and neutrophils. This amino acid plays also a central role in amino acid and carbohydrate metabolism. Glutamine deficiency is common in those who remain critically ill for more than a few days and may result in impaired immune function, thus increasing susceptibility to infection. There is growing evidence that glutamine, alone or in combination, exerts beneficial effects on the clinical outcome and infectious complications in critically ill patients. Glutamine enriched nutritional support may not reduce the overall incidence of acquired infection intensive care units,but it is safe and could be valuable supporting therapy for patients at risk of repeated infections to help to reduce their risk of dying from infection ormultiple organ failure.

        Key words: glutamine – critically ill – metabolism – infection – immune nutrition