Macro partitioning
Glutamine supplementation promotes M2 macrophage polarization via the glutamine-UDP-GlcNAc pathway and alpha-ketoglutarate production, which may help prevent obesity- or diabetes-associated pathology.
While glutamine is known to support immune health, this review highlights its specific role in shifting immune cells away from inflammation in obesity. Current research is mostly in mice, so humans should consult a doctor before using glutamine specifically for metabolic health, as the direct benefits in people are not yet fully proven.
Glutamine (the most abundant amino acid in the plasma of humans and many other mammals including rats) is effective in inducing polarization of M2 macrophages through the glutamine–UDP-N-acetylglucosamine pathway and α-ketoglutarate produced via glutaminolysis... Thus, manipulation of macrophage polarization through glutamine metabolism may provide a potential target for prevention of obesity- or diabetes-associated pathology.
Why this rating
The paper is a review of in vitro mouse models; human in vivo data is explicitly noted as unknown.
Source
Glutamine Metabolism in Macrophages: A Novel Target for Obesity/Type 2 Diabetes
Wenkai Ren et al. · Advances in Nutrition · 2018
DOI 10.1093/advances/nmy084
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- Obese individuals exhibit altered glutamine metabolism, characterized by decreased serum glutamine and alpha-ketoglutarate, and increased succinate, which correlates with M1 macrophage accumulation.Good
- Succinate accumulation, derived from glutamine-dependent anerplerosis, promotes M1 macrophage polarization and stabilizes HIF-1α, contributing to inflammation in obesity.Moderate
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