Effect of an exhaustive exercise and short-term glutamine supplementation on serum hs-CRP, in non-athlete males

Effect of an exhaustive exercise and short-term glutamine
supplementation on serum hs-CRP, in non-athlete males
Abstract
Purpose: The reduced blood glutamine levels induced by stressful situations such as injuries, starvation
and exercise training, result in immune system weakness. Therefore, this study was conducted to identify
the effect of an exhaustive exercise and short-term glutamine supplementation on serum hs-CRP in nonathlete
men. Methods: Twenty healthy male subjects (age, 21.0±1.68 years; BMI, 22.32±7.53 Kg/m2) in
a semi-experimental, double-blind, placebo-controlled design were randomly divided into two
homogenized groups (Glutamine: n=10 and control: n=10). After taking the first blood sample subjects
received either glutamine supplement (5 g in 300 ml of water) or placebo (5% sucrose and 0.15% lemon
flavor to enhance the taste) one hour before exhaustive exercise (shuttle run test). The second blood
sample was taken one hour after the test. Serum hs-CRP concentrations were determined quantitatively by
an ELISA kit. Results: Data (mean±SD) were statistically analyzed by using the depended and independed
t-test at significant level of P<0.05. The results indicated that hs-CRP content was significantly
increased (P<0.001) in control group (164%) while, elevation in hs-CRP (55%) for glutamine group was
not significant (P>0.05). Moreover, there were significant differences between groups for Hs-CRP mean
and range of changes after the exercise protocol (P<0.001). Conclusions: In conclusion, acute short-term
glutamine supplementation could have beneficial effect on serum hs-CRP or inflammation. However, for
making a firm conclusion in this regard further studies are needed.