L-glutamine supplementation improves the inflammatory profile of exercised obese elderly

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the effect of oral L-glutamine (Gln) supplementation, associated or not with the regular practice of combined-exercise training (CET), on glycemic and lipid profile and systemic inflammatory status in elderly subjects. METHODS: 84 elderly subjects, non-practitioners (NP, n=31) and practitioners of CET (n=53), were supplemented with Gln [0.3g/kg of weight plus 10g of maltodextrin, groups: NP-Gln (n=14), and CET-Gln (n=26)], or placebo [10g of maltodextrin, groups: NP-PL (n=17), and CET-PL (n=27)]. Anthropometric and physical data were assessed. Blood sampling was collected pre and post-30 days of supplementation. RESULTS: NP subgroups showed higher BMI and serum IL-6 levels than CET subgroups before and post-supplementation. Higher serum levels of IL-10 with lower IL-6 and IL-6/IL-10 ratio were observed post-supplementation in the CET-Gln subgroup than pre-supplementation. When the volunteers were separated according to their BMI, higher IL-6 levels were found in all obese (OB) subgroups than in the adequate weight (AW) subgroups before supplementation. This difference was not maintained between OB CET-Gln and AW CET-Gln subgroups post-supplementation. Higher levels of IL-10 with lower IL-6 and IL-6/IL-10 ratio were found in the OB CET-Gln subgroup post-supplementation than pre-supplementation. No differences were found in the glycemic and lipid profile. CONCLUSION: Oral Gln supplementation when associated with the regular practice of CET can modulate the systemic inflammatory status, especially in obese elderly subjects.