The Role of Glutamine in the Complex Interaction between Gut Microbiota and Health: A Narrative Review
Open Access
- 22 October 2019
- journal article
- review article
- Published by MDPI AG in International Journal of Molecular Sciences
- Vol. 20 (20), 5232
- https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms20205232
Abstract
The scientific literature has demonstrated that glutamine is one of the main beneficial amino acids. It plays an important role in gut microbiota and immunity. This paper provides a critical overview of experimental studies (in vitro, in vivo, and clinical) investigating the efficacy of glutamine and its effect on gut microbiota. As a result of this review, we have summarized that glutamine could affect gut microbiota via different mechanisms including the reduction in the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes, with the activation of NF-κB and PI3K-Akt pathways, reducing the intestinal colonization (Eimeria lesions) and bacterial overgrowth or bacterial translocation, increasing the production of secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) and immunoglobulin A+ (IgA+) cells in the intestinal lumen, and decreasing asparagine levels. The potential applications of glutamine on gut microbiota include, but are not limited to, the management of obesity, bacterial translocation and community, cytokines profiles, and the management of side effects during post-chemotherapy and constipation periods. Further studies and reviews are needed regarding the effects of glutamine supplementation on other conditions in humans.Keywords
This publication has 66 references indexed in Scilit:
- Irinotecan (CPT-11) Chemotherapy Alters Intestinal Microbiota in Tumour Bearing RatsPLOS ONE, 2012
- Long-term effects of neonatal glutamine-enriched nutrition in very-low-birth-weight infantsNutrition Reviews, 2011
- Glutamine Supplementation Decreases Intestinal Permeability and Preserves Gut Mucosa Integrity in an Experimental Mouse ModelJournal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, 2010
- Intestinal microbiota in allergic and nonallergic 1-year-old very low birth weight infants after neonatal glutamine supplementationActa Paediatrica, 2010
- Effects of glutamine and curcumin on bacterial translocation in jaundiced ratsWorld Journal of Gastroenterology, 2010
- Irinotecan‐induced mucositis manifesting as diarrhoea corresponds with an amended intestinal flora and mucin profileInternational Journal of Experimental Pathology, 2009
- Enteral Supplementation Enriched With Glutamine, Fiber, and Oligosaccharide Prevents Gut Translocation in a Bacterial Overgrowth ModelThe Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery, 2009
- Interactions between commensal intestinal bacteria and the immune systemNature Reviews Immunology, 2004
- Glutamine: the link between depletion and diminished gut function?Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 1996
- Inhibitory effect of bile on bacterial invasion of enterocytesCritical Care Medicine, 1995