The effects of the abbreviation of preoperative fasting with carbohydrate and glutamine on the metabolic response after videolaparoscopic cholecystectomy. A double blind randomized trial

INTRODUCTION: Prolonged preoperative fasting increases insulin resistance. We investigated whether an abbreviated preoperative fast with glutamine plus a carbohydrate based beverage would improve the organic response after surgery. METHODS: Forty-eight female patients (19-62 years) candidates for video-cholecystectomy were randomized to either standard fasting (fasting group) or to fasting with one of three different beverages. Beverages were consumed 8 hours (400 mL; placebo group: water; glutamine group: water with 50 g maltodextrine plus 40 g glutamine; and carbohydrate group: water with 50 g maltodextrine) and 2 hours (200 mL; placebo group: water; glutamine group: water with 25 g maltodextrine plus 10 g glutamine; and carbohydrate group: water with 25 g maltodextrine) before anesthesia. Blood samples were collected pre- and postoperatively. RESULTS: There were no cases of regurgitation during anesthesia. The mean [SEM] postoperative HOMA-IR was greater (p<0,05) in fasted patients (4,3±1,3) than in the other groups (placebo, 1,6±0,3); carbohydrate, (2.3±0,4); and glutamine, (1,5±0,1). Glutathione peroxidase (U/g hemoglobin) was significantly higher (40±3,0) in glutamine group than both carbohydrate (32±2,0) and fasting (32±2,0) groups (p< 0,01). Interleukin-6 increased in all groups except the glutamine group. The C-reactive protein/albumin ratio was higher in fasting subjects than carbohydrate (p=0,04) and glutamine (p=0,01) groups. The nitrogen balance was less negative in glutamine (-2,5±0,8 gN) than both placebo (-9,0±2,0 gN; p=0,001) and fasting (-6,6±0,4 gN; p=0,04) groups. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative intake of a glutamine-enriched carbohydrate beverage improves insulin resistance and antioxidant defenses, and decreases the inflammatory response after videolaparoscopic cholecystectomy...