title: Plasma glutamine concentration in spinal cord injured patients.
abstract: Glutamine, a non-essential amino acid, is the most important source of energy for macrophages and lymphocytes. Reduction in its plasma concentration is related with loss of immune function, as leukocyte proliferation and cytokine production. It is well known that glutamine is largely produced by the skeletal muscle which is severely compromised as a consequence of the paralysis due to the damage of the spinal cord. In spinal cord injury (SCI) patients, infections, such as pneumonia and sepsis in general, are a major cause of morbidity and mortality. In comparison with the control group, a 54% decrease in plasma glutamine concentration was observed as well as a decrease in the production of TNF and IL-1 by peripheral blood mononuclear cells cultivated for 48 h in SCI patients. Therefore, we propose that a decrease in plasma glutamine concentration is an important contributor to the immunosuppression seen in SCI patients.
authors: Laboratory of Metabolism, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil. psrogeri@uol.com.br
authors: P S
authors: PS
authors: Rogeri
authors: L F B P
authors: LF
authors: Costa Rosa
mesh_terms: D002452:Cell Count; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005080:Exercise Test; D005973:Glutamine / Q000097:blood*; D006334:Heart Function Tests; D006801:Humans; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D009000:Monocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology; D013936:Thymidine / Q000378:metabolism; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000096:biosynthesis
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D007375:Interleukin-1; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D005973:Glutamine; D013936:Thymidine