Are plasma citrulline and glutamine biomarkers of intestinal absorptive function in patients with short bowel syndrome?
Sensitive biomarkers for intestinal absorptive function would be clinically useful in short bowel syndrome (SBS). Citrulline (Cit) is a product of the metabolism of glutamine (Gln) and derived amino acids by enterocytes. Cit is produced almost exclusively by the gut, which is also a major site of Gln metabolism. The goals of this study were to examine whether plasma Cit and Gln concentrations are biomarkers of residual small intestinal length and nutrient absorptive functions in adult SBS patients followed prospectively. We studied 24 stable adults with severe SBS receiving chronic parenteral nutrition (PN) in a double-blind, randomized trial of individualized dietary modification +/- recombinant human growth hormone (GH). During a baseline week, intestinal absorption studies (% absorption of fluid, kcal, nitrogen, fat, carbohydrate, sodium, phosphorus, and magnesium) were performed and concomitant plasma Cit and Gln concentrations determined. Individualized dietary modification and tr
