Generality
Generally, glutamine peptide means a mixture of two dipeptides:
- L-alanyl L-glutamine : derived from the union of glutamine with the amino acid alanine
- and L-glycyl-L-glutamine : derived from the union of glutamine with the amino acid glycine.
The best pharmacokinetic properties would justify the use of glutamine peptide as a nutritional supplement, in place of the classic L-glutamine.
In addition to sports, glutamine peptide is now also used in the treatment and management of sarcopenic and cachectic states or in cases of structural damage to the intestinal mucosa.
Indications
Why is glutamine peptide used? What is it for?
The use of glutamine peptide in an integrative setting has been inherited from total parenteral nutrition.
Therefore, most of the biological functions of these dipeptides are to be traced back to the evidence derived from clinical use.
More precisely, glutamine peptide would present:
- Immunomodulatory activity: supports the body's immune defenses;
- An anticatabolic activity: it prevents muscle catabolism, such as that induced by a particularly intense and prolonged sport activity, or by rather restrictive diets;
- An antioxidant activity;
- A protective activity against the enteric mucosa.
All the aforementioned functions, also maintained after oral intake, would derive from the biological role of glutamine. This amino acid represents a fundamental nutritional resource for cells in active replication, such as enterocytes and cells of the immune system.
It should also be remembered the antioxidant role of glutamine, as a direct precursor of glutathione.
Property and Effectiveness
What benefits has glutamine peptide shown during the studies?
Most of the studies, related to the biological efficacy of glutamine peptide, derive from the clinical use of the same molecule, through total parenteral nutrition.
In this field of use, the literature seems to agree in defining the potential advantages of glutamine peptide, especially in the case of severe burns and large traumas.
Under these conditions, glutamine peptide would play a very important anti-catabolic role, avoiding clinically risky conditions such as cachexia and sarcopenia, and facilitating wound healing.
At the same time, glutamine peptide could support the immune system, reducing the risk of opportunistic infections, from poor prognosis, to hospitalized patients.
Less relevant, and somewhat contradictory, would instead be the evidence concerning the utility of glutamine peptide in sports.
Doses and method of use
How to use glutamine peptide
The effective dosages of glutamine peptide obviously vary depending on the purpose.
In sports, the suggested dosages of glutamine peptide range between 1, 500 and 4, 500 mg daily, divided into at least two assumptions.
The recommended doses of glutamine peptide tend to grow significantly in the clinical setting, particularly in the treatment of severe trauma and large burns.
Side effects
At the suggested doses, the use of glutamine peptide was generally safe and well tolerated.
In rare cases of overdose, the use of glutamine peptide would have caused the onset of constipation and abdominal bloating.
Contraindications
When should glutamine peptide not be used?
The use of glutamine peptide is contraindicated in case of hypersensitivity to the active ingredient.
Pharmacological Interactions
Which drugs or foods can modify the effect of glutamine peptide?
The pharmacological interactions of glutamine peptide fully follow those of the amino acid L-Glutamine.
Therefore, the intake of glutamine peptide would seem to balance the side effects of the intestinal mucosa induced by drugs such as Methotrexate and Indomethacin.
Precautions for use
What do you need to know before taking glutamine peptide?
The use of glutamine peptide is generally contraindicated, without proper medical supervision, during pregnancy and in the subsequent period of breastfeeding.
The use of glutamine peptide should be done with particular caution and under close medical supervision in patients with impaired renal function.
