In bowel rest, parenteral glutamine supplementation is associated with which outcome for atrophic changes?

• A. Increases atrophy
• B. Decreases atrophy
• C. No change
• D. Worsens

Answer: (B)

Glutamine serves as a primary fuel for enterocytes and other rapidly dividing cells of the gut mucosa. During bowel rest, the absence of luminal nutrients puts the mucosa at risk for atrophy. Providing glutamine parenterally delivers a key substrate to these cells, supporting their energy needs and synthesis processes even when enteral feeding is minimal. This helps maintain mucosal architecture, including villus height and barrier integrity, which translates to less atrophic change. So, parenteral glutamine during bowel rest is associated with decreased atrophy.