Use of Glutamine for Recovery Muscle Strength

April 28, 2022 updated by: Sandra Hernández Valencia, Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitacion

Effect of Oral Complementation of Glutamine on Knee Strengths Indicators in Adult Patients With Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction. A Double-blinded, Randomized Controlled Trial

After an Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction by surgery, the most important muscle of the knee, called quadriceps femoral, loses strength in more than 60% of cases, which if not corrected can progress to osteoarthritis in up to 80% of patients, compromising their quality of life.

The main treatment for loss of muscle strength in these patients is rehabilitation which includes strength and endurance exercises.However, in some cases, amino acids such as Glutamine (Gln) have been employed as an aid to recover muscle strength, but the evidence on this topic is not consistent and is inconclusive. Therefore, the main purpose of this study is to investigate if the oral complementation with Glutamine in combination with strength and resistance training can improve the muscle strength of the quadriceps femoral in patients with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction compared with those receiving a placebo after six weeks of intervention.

Study Overview

Status

Active, not recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

The study design is a randomized, double-blind and controlled trial. A total of 50 adult men will be recruited from medical departments of the National Institute of Rehabilitation in Mexico City.

Patients: Fifty men 20 to 50 years old, between 15 to 19 weeks after surgical reconstruction of anterior cruciate ligament and moderate loss of muscle strength of knee (assessment with computerized dynamometer), will be recruited from the Sport Rehabilitation department, and the treatment will be carried out in the Sport Medicine area, both of the National Institute of Rehabilitation in Mexico City. Patients with diabetes, obesity, hypertension, kidney or liver diseases or with glucocorticoid treatment, and athletes will not be included.

Intervention: The sample will be randomized in two groups. At the beginning and at the end of the training session, the experimental group will receive 10 grams of glutamine, and the control group will receive 10 grams of placebo (maltodextrin), both dissolved in 120 milliliters of water and all participants will not be aware of the supplement content.

Both groups will participate in the same standardized resistance training program, to ensure progression (or regression if necessary) to all training components and adherence to the intervention, each participant will do the training program in a therapeutic gym of Sport Medicine area three times per week, during 6 weeks of follow-up. One training session consists of 20 minutes of warm-up, 40 to 60 minutes of aerobic and anaerobic exercises and 15 minutes of cooling down. The exercises of the lower part of the body consist in 3 sets of 10 repetitions for healthy knees, and 12 repetitions for knees with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in a modular leg press, leg curl and leg extension machine.

All participants, irrespective of the supplement that they receive, will be closely monitored by a physician specialist in Sport Medicine and a nutritionist, who will give a dietary program to standardize protein consumption. Status nutritional will be assessed according to Body Mass Index [(BMI) 19.9-24.9, 25-29.9].

Muscle strength will be measured by a computer dynamometer. The reliability of the dynamometry will be evaluated by Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC). Thigh circumference will be measured by a anthropometric technique (Nutritionists certified by the International Society for the Advance of Kinanthropometry in level one, will carry out the measurement). Fasting glucose, lipid profile and liver function test will be carried out in the clinical laboratory of National Institute of Rehabilitation. The measurements are going to be held twice; before the first training session, and 6 weeks after.

For each participant the study duration will start in the first training session until 6 weeks after. Endpoints assessments will be performed at baseline (2 days before starting the training program) and after 6 weeks of follow-up (2 days after the last training session). Data will be collected by study investigators blinded to the allocation of the participants.

Comparison: The control group will receive maltodextrin powder (placebo) dissolved in 120 milliliters of water. The placebo will be inside gray envelopes, in the same manner that the glutamine was administered.

Outcomes: The main outcome is to change the strength of quadriceps femoris (assessment by isokinetic dynamometer).

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Anticipated)

30

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • Mexico
      • Mexico City, Mexico, 14389
        • Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitacion

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

16 years to 46 years (Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

Male

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Patients between 15 to 19 weeks after surgical reconstruction of anterior cruciate ligament
  • Moderate loss of muscle strength of knee (assessment with computerized dynamometer)
  • Perform the training sessions in the hospital
  • No athletes
  • Index Body Mass: 20 - 30 kg/m²
  • Without consumption of supplements based on amino acids in the last 6 months
  • To sign informed consent letter

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Diabetes mellitus I or 2
  • Liver and renal diseases
  • Dyslipidemia
  • Glucocorticoid consumption
  • Active cancer
  • Glutamine allergy or intolerance
  • Planning to lose weight/go on special diet

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Quadruple

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Glutamine and strength training program
Three times per week, standardized and supervised resistance training by physicians will be conducted at the National Institute of Rehabilitation for 6 weeks of follow up. At the beginning and at the end of the training session, the experimental group will receive by mouth 10 grams of glutamine dissolved in 120 milliliters of water, all participants and team of researchers will not be aware of the supplement.
Dietary supplement: Glutamine
At the beginning and at the end of the training session, the experimental group will receive by mouth 15 grams of glutamine dissolved in 120 milliliters of water. The aminoacid will be inside gray envelopes.
Other Names:
  • Glutapak 10
Other: Strength training program
One training session consists of 20 minutes of warm-up, 40 to 60 minutes of aerobic and anaerobic exercises and 15 minutes of cooling down. The exercises of the lower part of the body consist in 3 sets of 10 repetitions for healthy knee, and 12 repetitions for knee with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in a modular leg press, leg curl and leg extension machine.
Other: Dietary recommendations
All participants, irrespective of the supplement that they receive, will be closely monitored by a nutritionist, who will give dietary recommendations to standardize protein consumption (1.2 gr/kg weight). Status nutritional will be assessed according to BMI ( 19.9-24.9, 25-29.9).
Placebo Comparator: Placebo and strength training program
Three times per week a standardized and supervised resistance training by physicians will be conducted at the National Institute of Rehabilitation for 6 weeks after discharge. At the beginning and at the end of the training session, the placebo group will receive by mouth10 grams of maltodextrin dissolved in 120 milliliters of water. All participants and team of researchers will not be aware of the supplement content.
Other: Strength training program
One training session consists of 20 minutes of warm-up, 40 to 60 minutes of aerobic and anaerobic exercises and 15 minutes of cooling down. The exercises of the lower part of the body consist in 3 sets of 10 repetitions for healthy knee, and 12 repetitions for knee with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in a modular leg press, leg curl and leg extension machine.
Other: Dietary recommendations
All participants, irrespective of the supplement that they receive, will be closely monitored by a nutritionist, who will give dietary recommendations to standardize protein consumption (1.2 gr/kg weight). Status nutritional will be assessed according to BMI ( 19.9-24.9, 25-29.9).
Other: Placebo
Maltodextrin powder to mimic glutamine,

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change in torque peak of quadriceps femoris and hamstring
Time Frame: Baseline (admission to Sport Medicine) and 6 weeks after the follow-up (1 day after the last training session)
Measurement by computer dynamometer and expressed in Newton/meters at 60° angular speed.
Baseline (admission to Sport Medicine) and 6 weeks after the follow-up (1 day after the last training session)
Change hamstring/quadriceps ratio
Time Frame: Baseline (admission to Sport Medicine) and 6 weeks after the follow-up (1 day after the last training session)
Measurement by computer dynamometer and expressed in percentages at 60° angular speed.
Baseline (admission to Sport Medicine) and 6 weeks after the follow-up (1 day after the last training session)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change in thigh circumference (In operated knee and the non-operated knee)
Time Frame: Baseline (admission to Sport Medicine) and 6 weeks after the follow-up (1 day after the last training session)
Thigh circumference (centimeters) evaluated by fiberglass tape measure according to the technique that has been established by the International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropomethry (ISAK).
Baseline (admission to Sport Medicine) and 6 weeks after the follow-up (1 day after the last training session)
Energy intake
Time Frame: Baseline (admission to Sport Medicine), 3 and 6 weeks after the follow-up]
Dietary interviews twice (24-h recall interviews) (Energy Kcal)
Baseline (admission to Sport Medicine), 3 and 6 weeks after the follow-up]
Protein intake
Time Frame: Baseline (admission to Sport Medicine), 3 and 6 weeks after the follow-up]
Dietary interviews twice (24-h recall interviews) (protein, g/kg)
Baseline (admission to Sport Medicine), 3 and 6 weeks after the follow-up]
Changes in blood glucose levels
Time Frame: Baseline (admission to Sport Medicine) and 6 weeks after the follow-up
A sample of 5 milliliters of blood will be taken from patients with 8 hours of fasting. The quantification of blood glucose levels will be through the hexokinase method, which is used by Dimension clinical chemistry system.
Baseline (admission to Sport Medicine) and 6 weeks after the follow-up
Changes in total blood cholesterol levels
Time Frame: Baseline (admission to Sport Medicine) and 6 weeks after the follow-up
A sample of 5 milliliters of blood will be taken from patients with 12 hours of fasting. The quantification of total blood cholesterol levels will be through the CHOL method, which is used by Dimension clinical chemistry system.
Baseline (admission to Sport Medicine) and 6 weeks after the follow-up
Changes in blood High Density Lipoprotein-Cholesterol (HDL-C) levels
Time Frame: Baseline (admission to Sport Medicine) and 6 weeks after the follow-up
A sample of 5 milliliters of blood will be taken from patients with 12 hours of fasting. The quantification of blood HDL-C levels will be through AHDL-Method, which is used by Dimension clinical chemistry system.
Baseline (admission to Sport Medicine) and 6 weeks after the follow-up
Changes in blood Low density Lipoprotein-Cholesterol (LDL-C) levels
Time Frame: Baseline (admission to Sport Medicine) and 6 weeks after the follow-up
A sample of 5 milliliters of blood will be taken from patients with 12 hours of fasting. The quantification of blood LDL-C levels will be through ALDL-Method, used by Dimension clinical chemistry system.
Baseline (admission to Sport Medicine) and 6 weeks after the follow-up
Changes in blood triglycerides levels
Time Frame: Baseline (admission to Sport Medicine) and 6 weeks after the follow-up
A sample of 5 milliliters of blood will be taken from patients with 12 hours of fasting. The quantification of blood triglycerides levels will be through TGL-Method, used by Dimension clinical chemistry system.
Baseline (admission to Sport Medicine) and 6 weeks after the follow-up
Changes in blood Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels
Time Frame: Baseline (admission to Sport Medicine) and 6 weeks after the follow-up
A sample of 5 milliliters of blood will be taken from patients with 12 hours of fasting. The quantification of blood Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels will be through AST-Method, used by Dimension clinical chemistry system.
Baseline (admission to Sport Medicine) and 6 weeks after the follow-up
Changes in blood alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels
Time Frame: Baseline (admission to Sport Medicine) and 6 weeks after the follow-up
A sample of 5 milliliters of blood will be taken from patients with 12 hours of fasting. The quantification of blood Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels will be through ALTI-Method, used by Dimension clinical chemistry system.
Baseline (admission to Sport Medicine) and 6 weeks after the follow-up
Changes in blood Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels
Time Frame: Baseline (admission to Sport Medicine) and 6 weeks after the follow-up
A sample of 5 milliliters of blood will be taken from patients with 12 hours of fasting, for the quantification of blood Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels through method used by Dimension clinical chemistry system.
Baseline (admission to Sport Medicine) and 6 weeks after the follow-up
Changes in blood Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) levels
Time Frame: Baseline (admission to Sport Medicine) and 6 weeks after the follow-up
A sample of 5 milliliters of blood will be taken from patients with 12 hours of fasting. The quantification of blood Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) levels will be through GGT-Method, used by Dimension clinical chemistry system.
Baseline (admission to Sport Medicine) and 6 weeks after the follow-up

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitacion

Collaborators

Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico

Investigators

  • Study Director: Laura Moreno Altamirano, PhD, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

March 1, 2018

Primary Completion (Anticipated)

December 1, 2022

Study Completion (Anticipated)

December 1, 2023

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

April 5, 2018

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

May 4, 2018

First Posted (Actual)

May 7, 2018

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

April 29, 2022

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

April 28, 2022

Last Verified

April 1, 2022

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 47/16

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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