Key Roles of Glutamine Pathways in Reprogramming the Cancer Metabolism.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to explore the potential positive effects of Glutamine supplementation in cancer patients and identify conditions necessary to achieve these effects.
Results Summary
The study suggests Glutamine supports DNA and fatty acid synthesis, reduces oxidative stress, mitigates cancer cachexia, and aids immune and intestinal health. Separating Glutamine and carbohydrate intake may minimize cancer cell energy supply while benefiting the host.
Population
Cancer patients, particularly those undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GLN supplementation | neutral | - | - | - | possible positive effects | #1 |
GLN | decrease | oxidative stress | - | - | reduces | #2 |
GLN | decrease | process of cancer cachexia | - | - | stops | #3 |
GLN | increase | immunological system | - | - | nourishes | #4 |
GLN | increase | intestine epithelium | - | - | nourishes | #5 |
separation of GLN and carbohydrates in the diet | decrease | ATP (from glucose) and NADPH2 (from glutamine) to cancer cells | - | - | minimize simultaneous supply | #6 |
GLN | no change | - | cancers with the impaired oxidative phosphorylation and pyruvate dehydrogenase inhibition | - | cannot be considered the effective source of ATP | #7 |
GLN intake | increase | decreased levels of glutathione | in the case of chemotherapy and radiotherapy | - | restores | #8 |
GLN intake | increase | regeneration processes of the intestine epithelium | in the case of chemotherapy and radiotherapy | - | facilitates | #9 |
GLN intake | increase | regeneration processes of the immunological system | in the case of chemotherapy and radiotherapy | - | facilitates | #10 |
Glutamine (GLN) is commonly known as an important metabolite used for the growth of cancer cells but the effects of its intake in cancer patients are still not clear. However, GLN is the main substrate for DNA and fatty acid synthesis. On the other hand, it reduces the oxidative stress by glutathione synthesis stimulation, stops the process of cancer cachexia, and nourishes the immunological system and the intestine epithelium, as well. The current paper deals with possible positive effects of GLN supplementation and conditions that should be fulfilled to obtain these effects. The analysis of GLN metabolism suggests that the separation of GLN and carbohydrates in the diet can minimize simultaneous supply of ATP (from glucose) and NADPH2 (from glutamine) to cancer cells. It should support to a larger extent the organism to fight against the cancer rather than the cancer cells. GLN cannot be considered the effective source of ATP for cancers with the impaired oxidative phosphorylation and pyruvate dehydrogenase inhibition. GLN intake restores decreased levels of glutathione in the case of chemotherapy and radiotherapy; thus, it facilitates regeneration processes of the intestine epithelium and immunological system.