Glutamina y neoplasias gastrointestinales: revisión de la literatura
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54167/tch.v20i1.2247Palabras clave:
glutamina, neoplasias gastrointestinales, inmunonutrición, complicaciones posoperatorias, desnutriciónResumen
Esta revisión analiza el impacto clínico e inmunológico de la suplementación con glutamina en neoplasias gastrointestinales, donde la desnutrición afecta hasta al 80 % de los pacientes. Mediante una búsqueda bibliográfica (2021-2026), se evaluaron ensayos clínicos, estudios de cohorte y revisiones sistemáticas con metaanálisis en adultos. Los resultados sugieren que la administración enteral u oral ejerce un papel citoprotector que se asocia con la reducción en la gravedad de la diarrea y mucositis inducidas por quimioterapia y radioterapia, sin mostrar efectos sobre síntomas como náuseas o vómitos. En el entorno quirúrgico, la suplementación perioperatoria atenuó la disminución de albúmina y prealbúmina, y se vinculó con una menor incidencia de fístulas anastomóticas e infecciones, y redujo la estancia hospitalaria entre medio día y casi cuatro días, particularmente en afecciones colorrectales; no obstante, no pareció modificar las tasas de supervivencia general. Se concluye que, aunque la glutamina parece mitigar significativamente la morbilidad aguda y la toxicidad por tratamiento, la diversidad de resultados en la literatura actual resalta la necesidad de diseñar protocolos personalizados que delimiten dosis, vías y momentos idóneos de administración por tipo de tumor.
Descargas
Referencias
Adiamah, A., Rollins, K. E., Kapeleris, A., Welch, N. T., Iftikhar, S. Y., Allison, S. P., & Lobo, D. N. (2021). Postoperative arginine-enriched immune modulating nutrition: Long-term survival results from a randomized clinical trial in patients with esophagogastric and pancreaticobiliary cancer. Clinical Nutrition, 40(11), 5482–5485. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clnu.2021.09.040
Anderson, P. M., & Lalla, R. V. (2020). Glutamine for Amelioration of Radiation and Chemotherapy Associated Mucositis during Cancer Therapy. Nutrients, 12(6), 1675. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12061675
Chen, L., Wang, D., Meng, C., Sun, H., Li, R., Miao, G., & Liu, P. (2025). Glutamine prevents diarrhea in colorectal cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy: a meta-analysis. BMC Gastroenterology, 25(1), 697. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12876-025-04308-w
Deftereos, I., Djordjevic, A., Carter, V. M., McNamara, J., Yeung, J. MC., & Kiss, N. (2021). Malnutrition screening tools in gastrointestinal cancer: A systematic review of concurrent validity. Surgical Oncology, 38, 101627. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.suronc.2021.101627
Duan, Y., Chu, L., Yao, X., Liang, Y., Li, X., Wang, L., & Huo, J. (2024). Clinical Study of Glutamine Combined with Early Enteral Nutrition Support on Nutritional Status of Gastric Cancer Patients Undergoing Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 30(7), 122–127. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37944976/
Goyal, A., Macias, C. A., Corzo, M. P., Vargas, V. P. S., Mendoza, M., Guarecuco Castillo, J. E., García, A., Morfin-Meza, K. D., Fuentes-Orozco, C., González-Ojeda, A., Suárez-Carreón, L. O., Ruiz-Úcar, E., Vashist, Y., Pérez Bonet, A., Abou-Mrad, A., Oviedo, R. J., & Marano, L. (2025). Perioperative Immunonutrition in Gastrointestinal Oncology: A Comprehensive Umbrella Review and Meta-Analysis on Behalf of TROGSS—The Robotic Global Surgical Society. Nutrients, 17(14), 2304. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17142304
Hou, C., Chu, H.-J., Dai, X.-J., Wu, Y.-Q., He, Z.-F., Yu, Y.-W., Lu, Q.-Y., Liu, Y.-Q., & Zhang, X.-C. (2021). Metabolomic Study on the Therapeutic Effect of the Jianpi Yangzheng Xiaozheng Decoction on Gastric Cancer Treated with Chemotherapy Based on GC-TOFMS Analysis. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2021, 8832996. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/8832996
Huang, Y., Yang, X.-Z., Qin, S.-H., Zhang, T., Xie, M., & Wang, J.-W. (2025). Effect of perioperative glutamine-enriched nutritional support on patients with colorectal cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis. World Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery, 17(12): 112256. https://doi.org/10.4240/wjgs.v17.i12.112256
Hu, S.-S., Han, Y., Tan, T.-Y., Chen, H., Gao, J.-W., Wang, L., Yang, M.-H., Zhao, L., Wang, Y.-Q., Ding, Y.-Q., & Wang, S. (2023). SLC25A21 downregulation promotes KRAS-mutant colorectal cancer progression by increasing glutamine anaplerosis. JCI Insight, 8(21): e167874. https://doi.org/10.1172/jci.insight.167874
Kamocki, Z., Matowicka-Karna, J., Jurczuk, A., Milewska, A., Niewinski, A., Zareba, K., & Kedra, B. (2023). Preoperative Glutamine Supplementation in Gastric Cancer—Thrombocyte Phagocytic Activity and Early Postoperative Outcomes. Nutrients, 15(13), 2911. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15132911
Kiss, N., Findlay, M., Frowen, J., Lewis, W. E., Mills, J., Singh, A. K., Church, D. D., Mey, J. T., Peterson, S., Aguzzi, K., Bellini, S., Coelho, M. P. V., Cordwin, L., Duffy, M., Hager, S., Mundi, M. S., Owen‐Michaane, M., Price, K., Stanner, H., … McKeever, L. (2026). Guidelines for nutrition in adults with head and neck cancer: The American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition. Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, 50(3), 274–338. https://doi.org/10.1002/jpen.70067
Kodama, M., Oshikawa, K., Shimizu, H., Yoshioka, S., Takahashi, M., Izumi, Y., Bamba, T., Tateishi, C., Tomonaga, T., Matsumoto, M., & Nakayama, K. I. (2020). A shift in glutamine nitrogen metabolism contributes to the malignant progression of cancer. Nature Communications, 11(1), 1320. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-15136-9
Koustas, E., Trifylli, E.-M., Sarantis, P., Papadopoulos, N., Karapedi, E., Aloizos, G., Damaskos, C., Garmpis, N., Garmpi, A., Papavassiliou, K. A., Karamouzis, M. V., & Papavassiliou, A. G. (2022). Immunotherapy as a Therapeutic Strategy for Gastrointestinal Cancer—Current Treatment Options and Future Perspectives. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 23(12), 6664. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23126664
Lee, S., Kang, D. H., Ahn, T. S., Kim, S. S., Yun, J. H., Kim, H. J., Seo, S. H., Kim, T. W., Kong, H. J., & Baek, M. J. (2023). The Impact of Pre-Chemotherapy Body Composition and Immunonutritional Markers on Chemotherapy Adherence in Stage III Colorectal Cancer Patients. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 12(4), 1423. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12041423
Li, J., Xiang, Q.-L., Zhu, J.-X., Zhang, Y.-X., & Li, S.-Q. (2024). Comparison of enteral immunonutrition and enteral nutrition in patients undergoing gastric cancer surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized, controlled trials. Journal of International Medical Research, 52(1). https://doi.org/10.1177/03000605231220870
Li, L., Fang, T., & Xu, W. (2021). Oral glutamine inhibits tumor growth of gastric cancer bearing mice by improving immune function and activating apoptosis pathway. Tissue and Cell, 71, 101508. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tice.2021.101508
Li, X., Peng, X., Li, Y., Wei, S., He, G., Liu, J., Li, X., Yang, S., Li, D., Lin, W., Fang, J., Yang, L., & Li, H. (2024). Glutamine addiction in tumor cell: oncogene regulation and clinical treatment. Cell Communication and Signaling, 22(1), 12. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12964-023-01449-x
Ma, X., Pei, B., Wu, N., Wang, C., Yu, Y., & Yang, W. (2024). Current research and future prospects of immunonutrition in gastrointestinal malignancies. Frontiers in Immunology, 15: 1420415. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2024.1420415
Martinelli, S., Lamminpää, I., Dübüş, E. N., Sarıkaya, D., & Niccolai, E. (2023). Synergistic Strategies for Gastrointestinal Cancer Care: Unveiling the Benefits of Immunonutrition and Microbiota Modulation. Nutrients, 15(20), 4408. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15204408
Matsui, R., Sagawa, M., Inaki, N., Fukunaga, T., & Nunobe, S. (2024). Impact of Perioperative Immunonutrition on Postoperative Outcomes in Patients with Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Nutrients, 16(5), 577. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16050577
McKechnie, T., Kazi, T., Jessani, G., Shi, V., Sne, N., Doumouras, A., Hong, D., & Eskicioglu, C. (2025). The use of preoperative enteral immunonutrition in patients undergoing elective colorectal cancer surgery: A systematic review and meta‐analysis. Colorectal Disease, 27(4): e70061. https://doi.org/10.1111/codi.70061
Minhajat, R., Harjianti, T., Rasyid, H., Bukhari, A., Chaidir Islam, I., Zainal, A. T. F., Khaliq Gunawan, A. M. A., Ramadhan, A. C., Hatta, H., Syamsu Alam, N. I., Winarta, S., Amaruddin, A. I., & Hendra, F. N. (2023). Colorectal cancer patients’ outcome in correlation with dietary and nutritional status: a systematic review. Annals of Medicine, 55(2): 2281662. https://doi.org/10.1080/07853890.2023.2281662
Muranaka, H., Akinsola, R., Billet, S., Pandol, S. J., Hendifar, A. E., Bhowmick, N. A., & Gong, J. (2024). Glutamine Supplementation as an Anticancer Strategy: A Potential Therapeutic Alternative to the Convention. Cancers, 16(5), 1057. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16051057
Muranaka, H., Hendifar, A., Osipov, A., Moshayedi, N., Placencio-Hickok, V., Tatonetti, N., Stotland, A., Parker, S., van Eyk, J., Pandol, S. J., Bhowmick, N. A., & Gong, J. (2023). Plasma Metabolomics Predicts Chemotherapy Response in Advanced Pancreatic Cancer. Cancers, 15(11), 3020. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers15113020
Muscaritoli, M., Arends, J., Bachmann, P., Baracos, V., Barthelemy, N., Bertz, H., Bozzetti, F., Hütterer, E., Isenring, E., Kaasa, S., Krznaric, Z., Laird, B., Larsson, M., Laviano, A., Mühlebach, S., Oldervoll, L., Ravasco, P., Solheim, T. S., Strasser, F., … Bischoff, S. C. (2021). ESPEN practical guideline: Clinical Nutrition in cancer. Clinical Nutrition, 40(5), 2898–2913. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clnu.2021.02.005
Nan, D., Yao, W., Huang, L., Liu, R., Chen, X., Xia, W., Sheng, H., Zhang, H., Liang, X., & Lu, Y. (2025). Glutamine and cancer: metabolism, immune microenvironment, and therapeutic targets. Cell Communication and Signaling, 23(1), 45. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12964-024-02018-6
Newsholme, P., Diniz, V. L. S., Dodd, G. T., & Cruzat, V. (2023). Glutamine metabolism and optimal immune and CNS function. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, 82(1), 22–31. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0029665122002749
Okamoto, K., Takamura, H., Nagayama, T., Sannomiya, Y., Hashimoto, A., Nishiki, H., Kaida, D., Miyata, T., Tsuji, T., Fujita, H., Kinami, S., Ninomiya, I., & Inaki, N. (2024). Usefulness of Perioperative Nutritional Therapy with the Glutamine/Arginine/Calcium β-Hydroxy-β-Methylbutyrate Product in Esophageal Cancer Surgery: A Single-Center Retrospective Study. Nutrients, 16(13), 2126. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16132126
Orellana-Jaen, A., Corres, P., Orellana-Jaén, J., Fernández-Escabias, M., Carrilho-Candeias, S., López-Cánovas, J. L., Carneiro-Barrera, A., Nestares, T., & Amaro-Gahete, F. J. (2025). Effects of Preoperative Immunonutrition on Postoperative Complications in Patients Undergoing Colorectal Cancer Resection: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Nutrition Reviews 2025, nuaf276. https://doi.org/10.1093/nutrit/nuaf276
Peña Vivas, J. del C., Orduz Arena, A. C., Alonso García, A., Carrascal Gordillo, C. F., Martínez Gutiérrez, R., Rodríguez-Acosta Caballero, C., Fernández Freije, I., Paino Martínez, A. B., Belloso Cuesta, T., Juan Rijo, G., & Calleja Fernández, A. (2024). Clinical, Functional, and Nutritional Efficacy of a Glutamine-Enriched Oligomeric Diet in Patients with Rectal Cancer. Nutrition and Cancer, 76(1), 128–136. https://doi.org/10.1080/01635581.2023.2286698
Ragni, M., Fornelli, C., Nisoli, E., & Penna, F. (2022). Amino Acids in Cancer and Cachexia: An Integrated View. Cancers, 14(22), 5691. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers14225691
Recoba Obregón, P. E., Gómez Bernal, J. R., Rivera Andrades, G., & Buezo Villena, L. (2024). Efecto de la inmunonutrición enteral como estrategia nutricional en pacientes oncológicos hospitalizados sometidos a cirugías mayores gastrointestinales: revisión sistemática y metaanálisis. Nutrición Clínica y Dietética Hospitalaria, 44(4). https://doi.org/10.12873/444recoba
Sabry, N. M., Naguib, T. M., Kabel, A. M., Khafagy, E.-S., Arab, H. H., & Almorsy, W. A. (2022). Ameliorative Potential of L-Alanyl L-Glutamine Dipeptide in Colon Cancer Patients Receiving Modified FOLFOX-6 Regarding the Incidence of Diarrhea, the Treatment Response, and Patients’ Survival: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Medicina, 58(3), 394. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina58030394
Salas-Salas, B. G., Ferrera-Alayón, L., Calleja-Fernández, A., Chicas-Sett, R., Nogués-Ramia, E., Zafra-Martín, J., & Lloret, M. (2024). Impact of a glutamine-enriched peptide formula on gastrointestinal toxicity and on the interruption of oncologic treatment in patients with adenocarcinoma of the rectum. Frontiers in Nutrition, 11: 1414367. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2024.1414367
Shen, J., Dai, S., Li, Z., Dai, W., Hong, J., Huang, J., & Chen, J. (2022). Effect of Enteral Immunonutrition in Patients Undergoing Surgery for Gastrointestinal Cancer: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Frontiers in Nutrition, 9: 941975. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2022.941975
Shin, D. (2026). Perioperative Nutritional Treatment for Patients With Gastric Cancer: Focusing on Recent Controversial Issues. Journal of Gastric Cancer, 26(1), 92-105. https://doi.org/10.5230/jgc.2026.26.e1
Sun, H., Zhang, C., Zheng, Y., Liu, C., Wang, X., & Cong, X. (2022). Glutamine deficiency promotes recurrence and metastasis in colorectal cancer through enhancing epithelial–mesenchymal transition. Journal of Translational Medicine, 20(1), 330. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12967-022-03523-3
Sung, H., Ferlay, J., Siegel, R. L., Laversanne, M., Soerjomataram, I., Jemal, A., & Bray, F. (2021). Global Cancer Statistics 2020: GLOBOCAN Estimates of Incidence and Mortality Worldwide for 36 Cancers in 185 Countries. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 71(3), 209–249. https://doi.org/10.3322/caac.21660
Takebayashi, K., Kaida, S., Otake, R., Fukuo, A., Miyake, T., Kojima, M., Tani, S., Maehira, H., Mori, H., Ishikawa, H., & Tani, M. (2025). HMB/Arg/Gln may improve short-term outcomes after esophagectomy in patients with thoracic esophageal cancer. Diseases of the Esophagus, 38(1), doae121. https://doi.org/10.1093/dote/doae121
Tang, G., Pi, F., Qiu, Y.-H., & Wei, Z.-Q. (2023). Postoperative parenteral glutamine supplementation improves the short-term outcomes in patients undergoing colorectal cancer surgery: A propensity score matching study. Frontiers in Nutrition, 10: 1040893. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2023.1040893
Tejera Pérez, C., Guillín Amarelle, C., Rodríguez Novo, N., Lugo Rodríguez, G., Mantiñán Gil, B., Palmeiro Carballeira, R., Pita Gutiérrez, F., Argüeso Armesto, R., Cantón Blanco, A., Botana López, M. A., Fernández López, M. T., Muñoz Leira, V., Rodeiro Marta, S., & Martínez Olmos, M. Á. (2022). Immunonutrition, evidence and experiences. Nutrición Hospitalaria 04226. https://doi.org/10.20960/nh.04226
Triantafillidis, J. K. (2025). Perioperative nutritional support in patients undergoing gastrointestinal surgery: Current views with an emphasis on prehabilitation efforts. World Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery, 17(6): 101244. https://doi.org/10.4240/wjgs.v17.i6.101244
Trujillo, E. B., Kadakia, K. C., Thomson, C., Zhang, F. F., Livinski, A., Pollard, K., Mattox, T., Tucker, A., Williams, V., Walsh, D., Clinton, S., Grossberg, A., Jensen, G., Levin, R., Mills, J., Singh, A., Smith, M., Stubbins, R., Wiley, K., … Spees, C. K. (2024). Malnutrition risk screening in adult oncology outpatients: An ASPEN systematic review and clinical recommendations. Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, 48(8), 874–894. https://doi.org/10.1002/jpen.2688
Wang, B., Pei, J., Xu, S., Liu, J., & Yu, J. (2024). A glutamine tug-of-war between cancer and immune cells: recent advances in unraveling the ongoing battle. Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research, 43(1), 74. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13046-024-02994-0
Weimann, A., Braga, M., Carli, F., Higashiguchi, T., Hübner, M., Klek, S., Laviano, A., Ljungqvist, O., Lobo, D. N., Martindale, R. G., Waitzberg, D., Bischoff, S. C., & Singer, P. (2021). ESPEN practical guideline: Clinical nutrition in surgery. Clinical Nutrition, 40(7), 4745–4761. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clnu.2021.03.031
Wu, J.-M., Ho, T.-W., Lai, I.-R., Chen, C.-N., & Lin, M.-T. (2021). Parenteral glutamine supplementation improves serum albumin values in surgical cancer patients. Clinical Nutrition, 40(2), 645–650. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clnu.2020.06.015
Xiong, K., Li, G., Zhang, Y., Bao, T., Li, P., Yang, X., & Chen, J. (2023). Effects of glutamine on plasma protein and inflammation in postoperative patients with colorectal cancer: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. International Journal of Colorectal Disease, 38(1), 212. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00384-023-04504-8
Yang, T., Yan, X., Cao, Y., Bao, T., Li, G., Gu, S., Xiong, K., & Xiao, T. (2021). Meta-analysis of Glutamine on Immune Function and Post-Operative Complications of Patients With Colorectal Cancer. Frontiers in Nutrition, 8: 765809. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2021.765809
Ye, J., Hu, Y., Chen, X., Chang, C., & Li, K. (2023). Comparative Effects of Different Nutritional Supplements on Inflammation, Nutritional Status, and Clinical Outcomes in Colorectal Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis. Nutrients, 15(12), 2772. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15122772
Yu, Z.-H., Jong, B.-K., Hsu, Y.-J., You, J.-F., Cheng, C.-C., Liao, C.-K., & Chern, Y.-J. (2026). Short-term outcomes of minimally invasive surgery in older colorectal cancer patients in the era of enhanced recovery after surgery: is a “one-size-fits-all” strategy sufficient? International Journal of Colorectal Disease, 41(1), 37. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00384-025-05075-6
Yoo, H. C., Yu, Y. C., Sung, Y., & Han, J. M. (2020). Glutamine reliance in cell metabolism. Experimental & Molecular Medicine, 52(9), 1496–1516. https://doi.org/10.1038/s12276-020-00504-8
Zhong, Y., Li, J., & Mu, X. (2024). Effect of Preoperative immune-enhancing Enteral Nutrition on the Outcomes of Laparoscopic Surgery for Colon Cancer in elderly Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 30(12), 400–405. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38581317/
Zhou, Y., Li, T.-T., Yang, Z., Tan, Z.-M., Yang, C.-F., & Wang, Z. (2023). The effect of perioperative immunonutrition on patients undergoing esophagectomy: a systematic review and updated meta-analysis. Nutrición Hospitalaria, 04371. https://doi.org/10.20960/nh.04371
Publicado
Número
Sección
Licencia
Derechos de autor 2026 TECNOCIENCIA Chihuahua

Esta obra está bajo una licencia internacional Creative Commons Atribución-NoComercial 4.0.







