The Effect of Acute Glutamine Supplementation on Markers of Inflammation and Fatigue During Consecutive Days of Simulated Wildland Firefighting

Objective: To examine the effect of oral glutamine supplementation on inflammation and fatigue during and after simulated wildland firefighting (WLFF) tasks in hot conditions over 2 consecutive days. Methods: Eleven men and women ingested a glutamine supplement or a placebo before and after simulated wildland firefighting in an environmental chamber (38 degrees C, 35% relative humidity). Subjective fatigue, markers of inflammation, and cellular stress were measured pre, post and 4 hours post-exercise on both days. Results: Gastrointestinal damage, subjective fatigue, and ratings of perceived exertion were lower after glutamine supplementation compared with placebo. Heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) and nuclear factor kappa-inhibitor alpha (I kappa B alpha) levels were higher on both days of the glutamine trial compared with placebo. Conclusions: Glutamine supplementation may improve recovery after fire suppression in WLFFs. This may result from the upregulation of HSP70 which inhibits inflammation and protects against gastrointestinal (GI) barrier damage.