Skip to main content
Evidence-Based Supplement Research
Evidence-Based Supplement Research
Pillser
Search
Sign UpLog In

Effects of L-glutamine and hyaluronic acid associated with photobiomodulation on oral mucositis: a randomized clinical trial.

  • 2025-04-28
  • Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer 33(5)
    • Rodrigo Wilmes Dos Santos
    • Allisson Filipe Lopes Martins
    • Sebastião Silvério Sousa-Neto
    • Marília Oliveira Morais
    • Victor Hugo Lopes de Oliveira Moreira
    • Diego Antonio Costa Arantes
    • Angélica Ferreira Oton-Leite
    • Nilceana Maya Aires Freitas
    • Cláudio Rodrigues Leles
    • Elismauro Francisco Mendonça

Study Design

Type
Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Sample size
n = 24
Population
Patients with head and neck cancer undergoing radiochemotherapy
Methods
Randomized into two groups: group A, patients that received PBM + POCP (n = 24), and group B, patients that received PBM + POCP + L-G + HA (n = 24)

Objective

To investigate whether the application of L-glutamine (L-G) and hyaluronic acid (HA) associated with photobiomodulation (PBM) and the Preventive Oral Care Protocol (POCP) would present similar efficacy as the exclusive use of PBM, associated with POCP, in the prevention and control of severe oral mucositis (OM).

Study design

Patients with head and neck cancer undergoing radiochemotherapy (RCT) were randomized into two groups: group A, patients that received PBM + POCP (n = 24), and group B, patients that received PBM + POCP + L-G + HA (n = 24). OM was assessed using the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and World Health Organization (WHO) scales. The impact of oral health on patients' quality of life and perception of OM symptoms was evaluated. Assessments were made at the 1st, 7th, 14th, 21st, and 30th radiotherapy (RT) sessions.

Results

When the severity of OM was assessed according to the WHO scale in the 30th RT, group B showed lower rates of severe OM than group A. There were no differences when using the NCI scale. The impact of oral health on quality of life and the symptoms reported by patients were lower in group B at all times evaluated.

Conclusion

The combination of PBM + POCP + L-G + HA resulted in a significantly lower severity of OM than PBM + POCP alone, according to the WHO scale at the 30th RT.

Trial registration

Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry-REBEC no. RBR-6ybmgcv. Registration March 27, 2022.

Research Insights

  • L-Glutamine→Improved Quality of Life

    The impact of oral health on quality of life and the symptoms reported by patients were lower in group B at all times evaluated.

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
  • L-Glutamine→Reduced Oral Mucositis Severity

    The combination of PBM + POCP + L-G + HA resulted in a significantly lower severity of OM than PBM + POCP alone, according to the WHO scale at the 30th RT.

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
Back to top