Growth hormone, glutamine, and a modified diet enhance nutrient absorption in patients with severe short bowel syndrome.

What Was Tested

The paper reports a study of Exogenous HGH, sermorelin & older GHRPs (why they're passed over), published as a controlled clinical trial.

This study was undertaken to determine whether the co-administration of exogenous growth hormone, supplemental glutamine, and a modified fiber-containing diet could enhance nutrient absorption in patients who had undergone massive intestinal resection.

Why It Was Studied

Massive loss of intestinal surface area results in the short bowel syndrome characterized by malabsorption of fluid, electrolytes, and other nutrients.

Substances such as growth hormone, glutamine, and fiber exert bowel-specific trophic effects and either directly or indirectly influence nutrient absorption.

Who Took Part

According to the abstract, 5 men were involved.

PubMed indexes the participants as adults and middle-aged adults, both men and women.

Thereafter, eight patients received exogenous growth hormone, supplemental glutamine, and a modified high-carbohydrate, high-fiber diet.

Two patients were treated with the modified diet alone.

How the Study Was Run

The efficiency of net nutrient absorption (percent absorbed) for total calories, protein, fat, carbohydrate, water, and sodium was calculated from the measured nutrient intake and stool losses.

What Was Measured

Massive loss of intestinal surface area results in the short bowel syndrome characterized by malabsorption of fluid, electrolytes, and other nutrients.

Topics PubMed links to this paper include Biological Transport, Combined Modality Therapy, Diet, Fat-Restricted, Dietary Carbohydrates, Dietary Fiber, Glutamine and Growth Hormone.

What This Means in Plain Language

This is a controlled clinical trial of Exogenous HGH, sermorelin & older GHRPs (why they're passed over) in 5 men.

With fewer than 40 people, it is a small study, so it is better read as an early signal for further research than as a settled answer.

The abstract goes on to report its results in about 8 sentences; this page does not restate them, so read the paper for the findings and their limits.

The publication is from 1996 (JPEN. Journal of parenteral and enteral nutrition), a journal based in United States.

More context: the Exogenous HGH, sermorelin & older GHRPs (why they're passed over) compound page, all human trials.