Glutamine supplementation can reduce some atherosclerosis markers after thorough exercise in young healthy men: Glutamine supplementation to a novel atherosclerosis biomarker

Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nut.2021.111506

Commentary

Since glutamine is believed to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that are beneficial for athletes, an individual study investigated the effects of glutamine supplementation on several atherosclerosis markers after exhaustive exercise in young healthy men.

In the intervention study, 30 healthy men (cases = 15 and controls = 15) were randomly assigned to two groups.

The intervention group received 0.3 grams of glutamine per kilogram of body weight per day and 25 grams of sugar per 250 cc of water, while the control group received 25 grams of sugar per 250 cc of water for 14 days.

At the end of the intervention, participants were given one thorough exercise session and a fasting blood sample was taken to test serum levels of atherosclerosis markers.

Results showed that serum levels of leptin, cholesterol, and OX-LDL in the intervention group were lower than in the control group after two weeks of glutamine supplementation (p <0.05).

Serum levels of interleukin-6 were decreased in the intervention group compared to the control group after supplementation, but not significantly.

Serum levels of leptin, interleukin-6, cholesterol, oxidized low-density lipoprotein, and oxidized low-density lipoprotein/high-density lipoprotein were significantly decreased in the intervention group compared to the control group after exhaustive exercise.