A Comparison of the Effect of Glutamine-Carbohydrate and Carbohydrate Supplementation on Oxidative Stress, Plasma Cortisol and Insulin after a High Intensity Interval Training Session

There is little research on the effect of glutamine supplement in combination with carbohydrates on athletes' various blood factors. Thus, the aim of the present study was to compare the effect of glutamine-carbohydrate and carbohydrate supplementation on oxidative stress, plasma cortisol and insulin after a high intensity interval training session. 20 eligible athlete students were randomly assigned to two supplement groups (each group 7 subjects) and one control group (n=6).  Experimental groups performed one session of high intensity interval training, and they received dietary supplement. Blood samples were collected before, immediately, 3 hours and 24 hours after the training to evaluate the research variables. The results showed a significant increase (P<0.05) in plasma GSH in 3 and 24 hours after the training, and an increase in plasma TAC 24 hours after the training in the carbohydrate-glutamine group compared with the carbohydrate group. Also, there was a significant decrease in cortisol immediately and 3 hours after the training in the carbohydrate-glutamine group compared with the carbohydrate group. Regarding these findings, it seems that supplementation of glutamine in combination with carbohydrates compared with carbohydrate supplementation after a HIIT session has been able to increase the antioxidant capacity and also reduce cortisol and catabolic conditions.