Learn → Glossary → biochemistry
Glutamine
Most abundant free amino acid in plasma and skeletal muscle, conditionally essential in critical illness, that serves as nitrogen carrier, gluconeogenic precursor, and primary fuel for enterocytes and rapidly dividing immune cells.
Also: Gln, Q
Glutamine is depleted in catabolic states (trauma, sepsis, burns), correlating with worse outcomes. Parenteral glutamine supplementation in critical illness has yielded mixed results, with REDOXS showing harm at high doses in multi-organ failure patients, ending the era of routine glutamine in critical care. Oral glutamine is used selectively in short bowel syndrome and chemotherapy-related mucositis.
How one textbook covers it
Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease, 12th ed. — Ch 31: Arginine, Citrulline, and Glutamine
Glutamine is depleted in catabolic states (trauma, sepsis, burns), correlating with worse outcomes. Parenteral glutamine supplementation in critical illness has yielded mixed results, with REDOXS showing harm at high doses in multi-organ failure patients, ending the era of routine glutamine in critical care. Oral glutamine is used selectively in short bowel syndrome and chemotherapy-related mucositis.
Related terms
Arginine, Cachexia, Critical illness, Essential amino acid