title: Exogenous Glutamine in Respiratory Diseases: Myth or Reality?
abstract: Several respiratory diseases feature increased inflammatory response and catabolic activity, which are associated with glutamine depletion; thus, the benefits of exogenous glutamine administration have been evaluated in clinical trials and models of different respiratory diseases. Recent reviews and meta-analyses have focused on the effects and mechanisms of action of glutamine in a general population of critical care patients or in different models of injury. However, little information is available about the role of glutamine in respiratory diseases. The aim of the present review is to discuss the evidence of glutamine depletion in cystic fibrosis (CF), asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and lung cancer, as well as the results of exogenous glutamine administration in experimental and clinical studies. Exogenous glutamine administration might be beneficial in ARDS, asthma, and during lung cancer treatment, thus representing a potential therapeutic tool in these conditions. Further experimental and large randomized clinical trials focusing on the development and progression of respiratory diseases are necessary to elucidate the effects and possible therapeutic role of glutamine in this setting.
authors: Laboratory of Pulmonary Investigation, Carlos Chagas Filho Institute of Biophysics, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373, Bloco G-014, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-902, Brazil. giselepoliv@gmail.com.
authors: Gisele P
authors: GP
authors: Oliveira
authors: Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Therapy, Pulmonary Engineering Group, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität, Fetscherstrasse 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany. mgabreu@uniklinikum-dresden.de.
authors: Marcelo Gama
authors: MG
authors: de Abreu
authors: Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Research Hospital (IRCCS AOU), San Martino Istituto Nazionale Tumori, National Cancer Institute (IST), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy. ppelosi@hotmail.com.
authors: Paolo
authors: P
authors: Pelosi
authors: Laboratory of Pulmonary Investigation, Carlos Chagas Filho Institute of Biophysics, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373, Bloco G-014, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-902, Brazil. prmrocco@biof.ufrj.br.
authors: Patricia R M
authors: PR
authors: Rocco
mesh_terms: D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D005973:Glutamine / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D005973:Glutamine
keywords: acute respiratory distress syndrome; asthma; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; cystic fibrosis; glutamine; lung cancer