Glutamine Glutamine is an amino acid - the most abundant in muscle and plasma.
Skeletal muscle is a major producer of glutamine.
Low glutamine concentration has been associated with impaired recovery of patients following surgery. When exercise is considered, and muscle is unable to produce glutamine in sufficient amounts, the integrity of the immune system may be compromised. Also, glutamine is used by the kidney for acid-base balance. Low plasma glutamine in athletes has been associated with overtraining in athletes. Endurance exercise which results in glycogen depletion may commit more amino acids to the energy yield - resulting in less glutamine production and availability for the lymphocytes.