Glutamine Concentration In Culture Medium Research Articles

Influence of Glutamine on the Phenotype and Function of Human Monocytes

Reduced concentrations of glutamine (GLN) in plasma and skeletal muscle, defective host defense systems, and a diminished expression of the HLA-DR antigen on monocytes are important diagnostic parameters for late post-injury sepsis. In this in vitro study, we investigated whether blood monocyte-derived macrophage antigen expression and function from healthy donors is influenced by GLN. Lowering the GLN concentration in culture medium from 2 mmol/L to 200 mumol/L reduced the expression of HLA-DR by 40% (P < .001) on monocyte-derived macrophages, and decreased tetanus toxoid-induced antigen presentation. In addition, low GLN levels downregulated the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1/CD54), Fc receptor for IgG (Fc gamma RI/CD64), and complement receptors type 3 (CR3; CD11b/CD18) and type 4 (CR4; CD11c/CD18). A correlation was found between the phagocytosis of IgG-sensitized ox erythrocytes or opsonized Escherichia coli and the decreased expression of Fc gamma RI and CR3. Monocyte expression of CD14, CD71, and Fc gamma RIII/CD16 and capacity to phagocytose latex beads were not affected by altering the level of GLN. Depletion of GLN was associated with a significant reduction in cellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which may have influenced cell surface marker expression and phagocytosis. It remains to be seen whether these in vitro findings are of clinical significance in the treatment of sepsis.

Does glutamine contribute to immunosuppression after major burns?

The effects of glutamine concentration on the rates of lymphocyte proliferation after mitogenic stimulation and of phagocytosis by macrophages were investigated in vitro. A decrease in the glutamine concentration in culture medium from 0·6 to 0·05 mmol/l greatly decreased the rate of proliferation of human lymphocytes and of phagocytosis by mouse macrophages. In patients with major burn injury plasma glutamine concentration was 58% lower than that in normal controls and it remained low for at least 21 days after the injury. The findings indicate that the decrease in plasma glutamine concentration may contribute to the injury-induced impairment of immune function occurring after major burn injury.