Effects of a Glutamine Supplement on the Skeletal Muscle Contractile Force of Mice

Abstract

L-glutamine is the most abundant amino acid found in human muscle and plays an important role in protein synthesis. It is, therefore, believed that by increasing L-glutamine levels, protein metabolism can be increased, resulting in skeletal muscle growth. The goal of this research was to determine if increased L-glutamine levels enhanced muscle growth in mice. Comparisons between the contractile force of the gastrocnemis muscles of a control group and a group that received the supplement through their water supply were intended to determine if muscle growth occurred. T-tests were used to compare the contractile forces of the experimental and control mice. There was a significant difference between the contractile forces of the experimental and control groups. This suggests that L-glutamine supplementation increased the muscle growth of the experimental mice.