Objective      To investigate whether there is superimposed effect of glutamine supplementation through tube feeding on the improvement of serum albumin levels in the patients with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) besides the conventional dose of intravenous supplementation of glutamine.       Methods      Ninety-two SAP patients admitted in the gastroenterology department from March 2014 to April 2015 were prospectively recruited in this study. They were randomly divided into the treatment group (n=46) and control group (n=46). Within 48 to 72 h after admission

the patients of the former group were given with nutrient solution (containing 2.5 g/125 mL glutamine) by tube feeding after intravenous supplying of glutamine at conventional dose (13.25 g)

while those of the latter group were only supplemented with conventional glutamine. Total protein (TP)

albumin (ALB)

pre-albumin (PA)

hemoglobin (HGB)

total lymphocyte count (TLC) and other indicators were observed before and after nutritional support and compared between the 2 groups of patients.       Results      Compared with the control group

serum levels of ALB

PA and TLC were significantly higher in the treatment group (P0.05)

while that of HGB was reduced significantly (P0.05).       Conclusion      Besides the intravenous supplementation of conventional dose glutamine

a certain dose of glutamine by tube feeding has a superimposed effect on the improvement of protein synthesis.