The Effect of Glutamine Supplementation on Oxidative Stress and Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 and 9 After Exhaustive Exercise.
Level 2 - randomized trial
Individual randomized controlled trial
PubMed 31849453 · doi:10.2147/DDDT.S218606
What was done
Thirty healthy young males were randomly allocated to either a supplement group (n=15) or a control group (n=15). The supplement group received 0.3 g/kg body weight of glutamine plus 25 g sugar dissolved in 250 cc water daily for 14 days, while the control group received 25 g sugar in 250 cc water daily. Fasting blood samples were collected at baseline and at the end of the 14-day intervention. Participants then performed exercise until full-body exhaustive fatigue (duration: 16 ± 2.84 minutes), after which post-exercise blood samples were taken. Measured serum parameters included total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA), matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2 and MMP-9), glutathione, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP).
What was found
Serum levels of MDA and hs-CRP significantly decreased in the glutamine group (p < 0.05). Serum TAC significantly increased in the glutamine group (p < 0.05). Serum glutathione significantly increased after exhaustive exercise (p < 0.05). Serum levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 remained unchanged. Absolute numerical values, baseline concentrations, and effect sizes were not provided in the abstract.
Why it matters
This study provides randomized trial evidence that short-term glutamine supplementation may help attenuate markers of lipid peroxidation and inflammation while enhancing antioxidant capacity after exhaustive physical exertion.
Limits
The study had a small sample size (15 per arm) and was conducted exclusively in young healthy males, limiting generalizability. Blinding procedures were not detailed in the abstract, and no absolute figures, standard deviations, or confidence intervals were reported for the outcomes.