METABOLISM OF GLUTAMINE IN NEWBORN INFANTS

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This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. Appropriate nutritional supplementation is essential in the management and care of premature and sick infants. It is recommended that glutamine be included in the supplement formula because it may reduce morbidity and help very low birth weight infants adapt to the extrauterine environment. The present study proposes to examine the metabolic effects of glutamine supplementation on protein loss and protein turnover in normal, healthy term infants in the periods immediately after birth (24-48 hours) or at 3-4 weeks of age. It is hypothesized that: 1) glutamine synthesis and utilization will be reduced and that urea production will be increased during supplementation immediately after birth; 2) glucose and amino acid supplementation will not impact metabolism immediately after birth; 3) transamination of branched amino acids will be high immediately after birth; 4) glucose and amino acid supplementation enhance protein accretion at 3-4 weeks of age. This is a relatively small-scale trial that seeks to enroll 4 groups (N= 15 per group) of normal infants in a between group design. Protein and amino acid turnover will be assessed using stable isotope infusions of leucine, phenylalanine, urea, glutamine and bicarbonate sodium. In addition, breath samples will be obtained to measure oxidation rates.