Glutamine supplementation can reduce some atherosclerosis markers after exhaustive exercise in young healthy males: Glutamine supplementation on novel atherosclerosis biomarkers
Reza Alipanah-Moghadam Nutrition Available online 3 October 2021,
Highlight
• oxidative stress is an important risk factor for chronic diseases such as cancer
• Antioxidants in foods can eliminate free radicals and reduce oxidative stress levels
• Glutamine is an antioxidant that helps reduce post-exercise oxidative stress in male athletes
Objective
Glutamine can be beneficial to athletes due to its anti-inflammatory 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.
Materials and Methods
In an intervention study, 30 healthy males (case =15 and control=15) were randomly assigned into two groups. The intervention group received 0.3 grams of glutamine per kg body weight per day, with 25 grams of sugar in 250cc water and control group received 25 grams of sugar per 250cc water for 14 days. At the end of the intervention, the participants were given one 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 OX-LDL were lower than the control group after 2 weeks of glutamine supplementation (p<0.05). Although Interleukin-6 serum level was decreased in the intervention group compared to the control group after supplementation, but it was not significant. The serum levels of leptin, Interleukin-6, cholesterol, oxidized low-density lipoprotein and oxidized low-density lipoprotein /High-density lipoprotein ratio were significantly decreased in the intervention group compared to the control group after exhaustive exercise (p<0.05).
Conclusion
Glutamine supplementation has benefit effects for athletes particularly doing strenuous physical exercises by reducing atherosclerosis-related biomarkers and elevating serum adiponectin levels and it can play a potential role in decreasing the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis in there.