Glutamine supplementation can reduce some atherosclerosis markers after exhaustive exercise in young healthy males.

OBJECTIVES: Glutamine can be beneficial to athletes for its antiinflammatory and antioxidant effects. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of glutamine supplementation on some atherosclerosis markers after exhaustive exercise in young healthy males. METHODS: In an intervention study, 30 healthy males (case = 15 and control = 15) were randomly assigned into two groups. For 14 d, the intervention group received 0.3 g of glutamine per kilogram of body weight per day, with 25 g of sugar in 250 mL of water, and the control group received 25 g of sugar per 250 mL of water. At the end of the intervention, the participants completed one session of exhaustive exercise, and then fasting blood samples were taken to test serum levels of atherosclerosis markers. RESULTS: In the intervention group, the serum levels of leptin, cholesterol, and oxidized low-density lipoprotein were lower than in the control group after 2 wk of glutamine supplementation (P < 0.05). Interleukin-6 serum levels were lower in the intervention group compared to the control group after supplementation, but not significantly. Serum levels of leptin, interleukin-6, cholesterol, and oxidized low-density lipoprotein, as well as the ratio of oxidized low-density lipoprotein to high-density lipoprotein, were significantly decreased in the intervention group compared to the control group after exhaustive exercise (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Glutamine supplementation has beneficial effects for athletes, particularly those doing strenuous physical exercise, through reducing atherosclerosis-related biomarkers and elevating serum adiponectin levels, and it can potentially play a role in decreasing the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis.

The Effect of Glutamine Supplementation on Oxidative Stress and Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 and 9 After Exhaustive Exercise.

BACKGROUND: Glutamine is the most abundant amino acid in plasma and skeletal muscles and an important fuel for immune system cells. It has beneficial anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties which may be considered as a potentially useful supplement for athletes. The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of glutamine supplementation on oxidative stress and matrix metalloproteinase 2 and 9 after exhaustive exercise in young healthy males. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, 30 healthy males (supplement =15 and control=15) were randomly assigned into two groups. The supplement group received 0.3 g/kg BW of glutamine along with 25 gr of sugar dissolved in 250 cc water per day. The control group received 25 gr of sugar in 250 cc water per day. Fasting blood samples were taken at baseline and at the end of 14 days of intervention. The participants underwent exercise until experiencing full-body exhaustive fatigue for 16 ± 2.84 mins, and then fasting blood samples were taken. Serum levels of TAC, MDA, MMP2, MMP9, glutathione, and hs-CRP were measured. RESULTS: Serum levels of MDA and hs-CRP significantly decreased in the supplement group (p< 0.05). The serum level of TAC significantly increased in the supplement group (p< 0.05). Glutathione serum levels significantly increased after exhaustive exercise (p< 0.05). Serum levels of MMP2 and MMP9 remained unchanged. CONCLUSION: Results of this study showed that, some biochemical factors are time-dependent and can increase or decrease over time, as well as, serum levels of hs-CRP and MDA decreased with glutamine supplementation along with the increase in the TAC serum levels, but this supplementation had no effect on serum levels of MMP2 and MMP9 in exhaustive exercise.

The effect of conjugated linoleic acid supplementation on the nutritional status of COPD patients.

BACKGROUND: COPD patients are susceptible to anorexia, reduction of caloric intake, weight loss, and malnutrition. One of the possible mechanisms is the increase of inflammatory markers such as interleukin 1ß (IL1ß), is highly correlated with anorexia. Considering the anti-inflammatory role of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), this study aimed to investigate the effect of CLA supplementation on the nutritional status of COPD patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a double-blind clinical trial, 93 COPD patients who volunteered to participate in the study and who filled out a written consent form, were randomly assigned to control or supplementation groups. The patients in the supplementation group received 3.2 g of CLA on a daily basis for 6 weeks, while those in the control group received placebo on a daily basis for 6 weeks. For IL1ß assessment, the patients' anthropometric indices and appetite score were checked and their blood samples were collected both before and after the treatment. Moreover, in order to investigate the changes in the caloric intake trend during the study, their dietary intake levels were assessed using 24-hour dietary recall, 3 days a week at the onset, in the 4th week, and at the end of the study. Eventually, 90 patients completed the study. RESULTS: The results demonstrated a significant increase in appetite score (P=0.001), average caloric intake (P=0.01), and macronutrient intake (P<0.05), while a significant decrease was observed in the serum level of IL1ß among the patients of the supplementation group (P=0.008). Meanwhile, although the supplementation group's body mass index was also higher on completion, compared to their own initial state as well as to that in the control group, the differences were not significant (P=0.13). CONCLUSION: The findings of this research indicate that the consumption of CLA supplementation can be effective in regulating the appetite and improving the nutritional status of patients suffering from COPD through adjusting the serum level of IL1ß.