QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Purchase Article View Shopping Cart Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Garlick, P. J. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Garlick, P. J.

---

Supplement

Assessment of the Safety of Glutamine and Other Amino Acids¹

State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY 11794-8191

Glutamine is used to supplement intravenous and enteral feeding. Although there have been many human studies of its efficacy, there have been very few studies with safety as a primary goal. This article analyzes the literature on the safety of glutamine and also examines the available information on high intakes of total protein and other amino acids, so that additional indicators of potentially adverse effects can be suggested. Four studies that specifically addressed glutamine safety were identified, from which it was concluded that glutamine is safe in adults and in preterm infants. However, the published studies of safety have not fully taken account of chronic consumption by healthy subjects of all age groups. To help identify potential undetected hazards of glutamine intake, the literature on adverse effects of high dietary intake of protein and other amino acids was examined. High protein is reputed to cause nausea, vomiting and ultimately death in adults, and has been shown to result in neurological damage in preterm infants. Individual amino acids cause a variety of adverse effects, some of them potentially fatal, but neurological effects were the most frequently observed. Because glutamine is metabolized to glutamate and ammonia, both of which have neurological effects, psychological and behavioral testing may be especially important.

KEY WORDS: • protein intake • glutamine toxicity

This article has been cited by other articles:

				S. Amara Oral Glutamine for the Prevention of Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy Ann. Pharmacother., October 1, 2008; 42(10): 1481 - 1485. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. B. Pencharz, R. Elango, and R. O. Ball An Approach to Defining the Upper Safe Limits of Amino Acid Intake J. Nutr., October 1, 2008; 138(10): 1996S - 2002S. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Watford Glutamine Metabolism and Function in Relation to Proline Synthesis and the Safety of Glutamine and Proline Supplementation J. Nutr., October 1, 2008; 138(10): 2003S - 2007S. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				E. Roth Nonnutritive Effects of Glutamine J. Nutr., October 1, 2008; 138(10): 2025S - 2031S. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. F. Bertolo and D. G. Burrin Comparative Aspects of Tissue Glutamine and Proline Metabolism J. Nutr., October 1, 2008; 138(10): 2032S - 2039S. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				F. Strasser, R. Demmer, C. Bohme, S.-F. H. Schmitz, B. Thuerlimann, T. Cerny, and S. Gillessen Prevention of Docetaxel- or Paclitaxel-Associated Taste Alterations in Cancer Patients with Oral Glutamine: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Study Oncologist, March 1, 2008; 13(3): 337 - 346. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. B. Soeters, M. C. G. van de Poll, W. G. van Gemert, and C. H. C. Dejong Amino Acid Adequacy in Pathophysiological States J. Nutr., June 1, 2004; 134(6): 1575S - 1582S. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Tsubuku, K. Hatayama, K. Mawatari, M. Smriga, and T. Kimura Thirteen-Week Oral Toxicity Study of L-Glutamine in Rats International Journal of Toxicology, March 1, 2004; 23(2): 107 - 112. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Kadowaki and T. Kanazawa Amino Acids as Regulators of Proteolysis J. Nutr., June 1, 2003; 133(6): 2052S - 2056. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]