- Glutamine
NatOrganicBox
Chemical structure of L-glutamine
name=(2S)-2-amino-4-carbamoyl-butanoic acid
PubChem = 738
CAS = 56-85-9
ChemSpiderID = 718
SMILES = N [C@@H] (CCC(N)=O)C(O)=O
C=5 | H=10 | N=2 | O=3
mass=146.15 g/molGlutamine (abbreviated as Gln or Q; the abbreviation Glx or Z represents either glutamate or
glutamic acid ) is one of the 20amino acid s encoded by the standardgenetic code . Itsside chain is anamide formed by replacing the side-chainhydroxyl ofglutamic acid with anamine functional group . It can therefore be considered theamide of the acidic amino acidglutamic acid . Its codons are CAA and CAG.Nutrition
Occurrences in nature
Glutamine is the most abundant naturally occurring, non-
essential amino acid in the human body and one of the only amino acids which directly crosses theblood-brain barrier . [ [http://ajpcell.physiology.org/cgi/content/full/274/4/C1101] ] In the body it is found circulating in the blood as well as stored in theskeletal muscle s. It becomes conditionally essential (requiring intake from food or supplements) in states of illness or injury.Dietary sources
Dietary sources of L-glutamine include beef, chicken, fish, eggs, milk, dairy products, cabbage, beets, beans, spinach, and parsley. Small amounts of free L-glutamine are also found in vegetable juices and fermented foods, such as
miso . [cite web |title=Glutamine |work=Vitamins & health supplements |url=http://www.vitamins-supplements.org/amino-acids/glutamine.php|accessmonthday=November 1|accessyear=2007 ]Functions
Glutamine has a variety of biochemical functions including:
# A substrate for DNA synthesis
# Major role in protein synthesis
# Primary source of fuel forenterocyte s (cells lining the inside of the small intestine).
# Precursor for rapidly dividing immune cells, thus aiding in immune function
# Regulation of acid-base balance in the kidney by producingammonium ["Textbook of Medical Physiology" Guyton & Hall (11th edition), p. 393]
# Alternative source of fuel for the brain and helps to block cortisol-induced protein catabolism
# As a form of fixed nitogen byheterocyst s, exchanged for photosynthate from undifferentiatedcyanobacteria l cellsUse
In catabolic states of injury and illness, GLN becomes conditionally-essential (requiring intake from food or supplements). Glutamine has been studied extensively over the past 10-15 years and has been shown to be useful in treatment of serious illnesses, injury, trauma, burns, cancer and its treatment related side-effects as well as in wound healing for postoperative patients. [ [http://www.cfsn.com/ibs.html] ] Verify credibility|date=August 2008 That is why it is now also classified as a
nutraceutical . Glutamine is also marketed as a supplement used for muscle growth inweightlifting ,bodybuilding , endurance and other sports. [John Ivy and Portman, Robert, "Nutrient Timing",(Laguna Beach: Basic Health Publications, 2004), page 57]Glutamine has also been taken to enhance brain function as it fuels two of the brain's most important neurotransmitters: glutamic acid and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). It also assists in nitrogen transportation and reduces toxic build up of ammonia in the brain (though is contra-indicated for those with Reye's Syndrome). Hence, it has been used to aid memory, increase IQ in those with mental retardation, used to support those with schizophrenia and senility. [ [http://www.experiencelifemag.com/issues/november-december-2002/health-wellness/glutamine.html] ]
It has also been used in the treatment of ADHD, anxiety. [ [http://www.neurogenesis.com/Amino-Acids/glutamine.php] ] Verify credibility|date=August 2008 and depression [ [http://www.naturalhealthweb.com/articles/esparza1.html] ] [ [http://intelegen.com/nutrients/add.htm] ]
It has also been used in recovery programs to break sugar craving cycles in alcoholics (although is contra-indicated for those with cirrhosis of the liver or kidney disease)and assist people in the management of sugar craving in diabetes. [ [http://www.sundancevideoonline.com/glutamine.html] ] [ [http://www.experiencelifemag.com/issues/november-december-2002/health-wellness/glutamine.html] ]
It is also used as an anti-inflammatory in the treatment of autoimmune diseases and preserves Glutathione (important for detoxification and immune support) levels in the liver. [ [http://www.sundancevideoonline.com/glutamine.html] ]
Glutamine is contraindicated for those with Reye's Disease, cirrhosis of the liverand kidney disease. [ [http://www.naturalhealthtechniques.com/diet_nutrition/amino_acid_list1.htm#Glutamine] ] Verify credibility|date=August 2008
Aiding gastrointestinal function
In recent studies, glutamine-enriched diets have been linked with intestinal effects including maintenance of gut barrier function, [ [http://www.nutri-notes.com/marapr98_simple.htm] ] Verify credibility|date=August 2008 intestinal cell proliferation, and differentiation. [ [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3762/is_199905/ai_n8828316] ] It may be used in recovery after gut surgery or in the treatment of gut damage [ [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3762/is_199905/ai_n8828316] ] , the treatment of
sepsis , [ [http://ajpregu.physiology.org/cgi/content/abstract/292/5/R1839?rss=1] ] andirritable bowel syndrome . [ [http://www.cfsn.com/ibs.html] ] Verify credibility|date=August 2008 This may relate to the fact that the intestinal extraction rate of glutamine is higherthan that for other amino acids, and is therefore thought to be the most viable option when attempting to alleviate conditions relating to thegastrointestinal tract . cite journal
author = Boza, J.J.
coauthors = Dangin, M.; Moennoz, D.; Montigon, F.; Vuichoud, J.; Jarret, A.; Pouteau, E.; Gremaud, G.; Oguey-araymon, S.; Courtois, D.; Others,
year = 2001
title = Free and protein-bound glutamine have identical splanchnic extraction in healthy human volunteers
journal = American Journal of Physiology- Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology
volume = 281
issue = 1
pages = 267–274
url = http://ajpgi.physiology.org/cgi/content/abstract/281/1/G267
accessdate = 2007-11-01
pmid = 11408280
doi = 10.1097/00000658-199802000-00022]These conditions were discovered after comparing plasma concentration within the gut between glutamine-enriched and non glutamine-enriched diets. However, even though glutamine is thought to have "cleansing" properties and effects, it is unknown to what extent glutamine has clinical benefits, due to the varied concentrations of glutamine in varieties of food.
Aiding recovery after surgery
It is also known that glutamine has various effects in reducing healing time after operations. Hospital-stay times after abdominal
surgery can be reduced by providingparenteral nutrition regimes containing high amounts of glutamine to patients. Clinical trials have revealed that patients on supplementation regimes containing glutamine have improved nitrogen balances, generation of cysteinyl-leukotriene s frompolymorphonuclear neutrophil granulocytes and improvedlymphocyte recovery and intestinal permeability (in postoperative patients) - in comparison to those who had no glutamine within their dietary regime; all without any side-effects.cite journal
author = Morlion, B.J.
coauthors = Stehle, P.; Wachtler, P.; Siedhoff, H.P.; Koller, M.; Konig, W.; Furst, P.; Puchstein, C.
year = 1998
title = Total parenteral nutrition with glutamine dipeptide after major abdominal surgery: a randomized, double-blind, controlled study
journal = Ann Surg
volume = 227
issue = 2
pages = 302–8
url = http://www.annalsofsurgery.com/pt/re/annos/fulltext.00000658-199802000-00022.htm
accessdate = 2007-11-01
doi = 10.1097/00000658-199802000-00022]References
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