Glutamine and type 1 diabetes mellitus: is there a role in glycemic control?

Abstract

Purpose of review Recent literature suggests dietary glutamine supplementation may lower blood glucose in patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D), who have no residual insulin secretion. The mechanisms and potential relevance to the care of T1D remain unclear. Recent findings Glutamine is involved in multiple pathways including gluconeogenesis, lipolysis, antioxidant defense, the production of nitric oxide, the secretion of peptides (e.g., glucagon-like peptide 1, GLP-1), or neuromediators (e.g., [Latin Small Letter Gamma]-aminobutyric acid), all processes that may impact insulin sensitivity and/or glucose homeostasis. The article reviews potential mechanisms and literature evidence suggesting a role in improving glucose tolerance in patients with illness associated with insulin resistance, as well as the preliminary evidence for the increased incidence of postexercise hypoglycemia in T1D after oral glutamine. Summary Further studies are warranted to determine whether the lowering effect of glutamine on blood glucose is sustained over time. If so, long-term randomized trials would be warranted to determine whether there is a role for glutamine as an adjunct dietary supplement to improve glucose control in patients with T1D.