Effects of pharmaconutrients on cellular dysfunction and the microcirculation in critical illness.

Purpose Of Review: A growing body of data has revealed that specific nutrient deficiencies contribute to microvascular and cellular dysfunction following critical illness. Further, targeted administration of these 'pharmaconutrients' may reverse or improve this dysfunction and improve clinical outcome.

Recent Findings: Specific nutrient therapy with glutamine protects cellular metabolism and vascular function via induction of heat shock proteins, which are key proteins found to be deficient following acute illness.