Authors
Welbourne TC.
Institution
Department of Physiology, Louisiana State University College of Medicine,
Shreveport 71130, USA.
Title
Increased plasma bicarbonate and growth hormone after an oral
glutamine load.
Source
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 61(5):1058-61, 1995 May.
Abstract
An oral glutamine load was administered to nine healthy
subjects to determine the effect on plasma glutamine,
bicarbonate, and circulating growth hormone concentrations. Two grams
glutamine were dissolved in a cola drink and ingested over a
20-min period 45 min after a light breakfast. Forearm venous blood samples
were obtained at zero time and at 30-min intervals for 90 min and compared
with time controls obtained 1 wk earlier. Eight of nine subjects responded to
the oral glutamine load with an increase in plasma
glutamine at 30 and 60 min before returning to the control
value at 90 min. Ninety minutes after the glutamine
administration load both plasma bicarbonate concentration and circulating
plasma growth hormone concentration were elevated. These findings demonstrate
that a surprisingly small oral glutamine load is capable of
elevating alkaline reserves as well as plasma growth hormone.