The Effect of Glutamine Supplement on Changes in hsp72, Cortisol and Plasma Glucose after Exercise

Glutamine plays a key role in cell protection following stress، by causing a simultaneous increase in hsp72 expression، which is dependent on glutamine metabolism and its relation with cortisol levels and gluconeogenesis. To assess the effect of glutamine supplement ingestion on hsp72، cortisol and glucose plasma changes after exercise، 28 soccer players were divided in four groups; the control، supplement، supplement-exercise and the exercise groups. 0. 5 g/kgBw supplement and placebo consumed 5ml/kgBw volume of water one hour prior to the exercise protocol، which included 3 stages of 20 minutes running (80% HRmax intensity) with 5 minute rest periods between each stage. Baseline، and pre، post and 90 minutes after exercise، blood sampling was done and cortisol، glucose and hsp72 levels were measured using RIA، Enzymatic، and Elisa tests respectively. Data was analyzed with MANOVA and Bonferoni post hoc tests، P≤0. 05 values being considered significant. Plasma cortisol and plasma glucose levels showed no significant changes in the groups، hsp72 while expression in the supplement and the supplement exercise groups was increased. Role of glutamine، independent of its relation with cortisol and glocostatic is a stimulator of hsp72 expression which is further increased by combining the supplement with exercise، suggesting that athletes may want to use glutamine prior to taking part in matches or intense exercises.