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Glutamine
1Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston 02115, USA.
World Journal of Surgery
|February 24, 2001
Summary
Glutamine is normally synthesized by the body but becomes depleted during illness. During critical illness, glutamine may be conditionally essential, requiring dietary supplementation to maintain homeostasis.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Nutritional Science
- Physiology
Background:
- Glutamine metabolism was poorly understood until the 1930s.
- Glutamine is a nonessential amino acid synthesized de novo in the body.
- Dietary glutamine intake is typically low (less than 10 g/day).
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the physiology and biochemistry of glutamine.
- To emphasize glutamine metabolism in surgical illnesses.
- To explore glutamine's role as a conditionally essential amino acid.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of glutamine metabolism.
- Analysis of glutamine levels during catabolic states.
- Comparison of dietary intake versus physiological needs.
Main Results:
- Glutamine is depleted during catabolic insults like injury and infection.
- Endogenous glutamine production may be insufficient to meet demands during critical illness.
- Higher glutamine intake (20-40 g/day) may be needed to maintain homeostasis in stressed patients.
Conclusions:
- Glutamine is essential during critical illness, acting as a conditionally essential nutrient.
- Supplementation may be necessary to restore glutamine homeostasis in surgical patients.
- Glutamine functions as both a nutrient and a therapeutic agent in clinical settings.