title: Glutamine supplementation favors weight loss in nondieting obese female patients. A pilot study.
abstract: Glutamine supplementation improves insulin sensitivity in critically ill patients, and prevents obesity in animals fed a high-fat diet. We hypothesized that glutamine supplementation favors weight loss in humans. Obese and overweight female patients (n=6) were enrolled in a pilot, cross-over study. After recording anthropometric (that is, body weight, waist circumference) and metabolic (that is, glycemia, insulinemia, homeostatic model of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR)) characteristics, patients were randomly assigned to 4-week supplementation with glutamine or isonitrogenous protein supplement (0.5 g/KgBW/day). During supplementation, patients did not change their dietary habits nor lifestyle. At the end, anthropometric and metabolic features were assessed, and after 2 weeks of washout, patients were switched to the other supplement for 4 weeks. Body weight and waist circumference significantly declined only after glutamine supplementation (85.0±10.4 Kg vs 82.2±10.1 Kg, and 102.7±2.0 cm vs 98.9±2.9 cm, respectively; P=0.01). Insulinemia and HOMA-IR declined by 20% after glutamine, but not significantly so. This pilot study shows that glutamine is safe and effective in favoring weight loss and possibly enhancing glucose metabolism.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Laviano
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Molfino
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Lacaria
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Canelli
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: De Leo
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Preziosa
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rossi Fanelli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D016638:Critical Illness / Q000628:therapy; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D005973:Glutamine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000188:drug therapy*; D050177:Overweight / Q000188:drug therapy; D010865:Pilot Projects; D055105:Waist Circumference; D015431:Weight Loss
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D004044:Dietary Proteins; D005973:Glutamine