Glutamine and the immune system

Abstract

Glutamine is a very important amino acid in supporting the immune response, and it is thought that one of the contributors to impaired immunity in catabolic stress states is a diminished supply of glutamine. The aim of this chapter is to review the metabolism of glutamine by cells of the immune system; the role(s) of glutamine in supporting specic immune cell functions; the evidence from animal models and human clinical trials around glutamine, immunity, infection, and inammation; and the mechanisms of action of glutamine within the immune system, with an emphasis on the role of heat shock proteins. Prior to discussing glutamine, the chapter describes in brief the immune system and its function in health and disease. The effects of glutamine on the immune system in the context of exercise are covered in Chapters 22 and 23.