| pubmed-article:12690259 | pubmed:abstractText | The amino acid glutamine plays a central role in nitrogen transport within the body and is a fuel for rapidly dividing cells, such as in the gut and the immune system. Plasma glutamine levels decline during critical illness, and therefore these cells suffer from glutamine starvation under these conditions. The present review summarizes data on the specific effect of extracellular glutamine on metabolism, function, stress response, and apoptosis of glutamine-utilizing cells. | lld:pubmed |
