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Glutamine and heat shock protein expression
1Department of Anesthesiology, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, Colorado 80262, USA. Paul.Wischmeyer@UCHSC.edu
Nutrition (Burbank, Los Angeles County, Calif.)
|March 8, 2002
Summary
Glutamine (GLN) can enhance cellular stress protection by boosting heat shock proteins (HSPs). This amino acid may offer a safe way to improve outcomes during critical illness and injury.
Area of Science:
- Cellular Biology
- Biochemistry
- Immunology
Background:
- Cellular protection relies on heat shock proteins (HSPs).
- Preinducing HSPs can protect against lethal cellular injury.
- Current HSP induction methods are toxic and not clinically applicable.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate glutamine (GLN) as a potential clinical agent for enhancing HSP expression.
- To assess GLN's efficacy in improving cell survival and reducing injury in vivo.
Main Methods:
- Administered a single dose of intravenous GLN to rats.
- Measured HSP expression levels.
- Evaluated end-organ injury and survival rates following induced septic shock.
Main Results:
- Intravenous GLN administration enhanced HSP expression in rats.
- GLN treatment decreased end-organ injury.
- GLN significantly improved survival rates in rats subjected to septic shock.
Conclusions:
- GLN shows promise as a clinically applicable enhancer of HSP expression.
- GLN may attenuate end-organ injury and improve survival in critical illness and injury settings.
- GLN could be beneficial before anticipated clinical stress, such as major surgery or in critically ill patients.