This chapter reviews protein and amino acid metabolism in the human gastrointestinal tract, highlighting alterations in protein- and amino acid-related gut metabolism in patients on parenteral nutrition.

This chapter discusses adaptive changes in intestinal physiology in short bowel syndrome (SBS). Published results of clinical trials that have utilized growth hormone, glutamine and glucagon-like peptide-2 and its analogue (teduglutide), in the treatment of SBS patients are then presented.

The assimilation of inorganic N, in the form of NH₄⁺, into glutamine and glutamate via glutamine synthetase (GS) and glutamine oxoglutarate aminotransferase (GOGAT) is a pivotal metabolic process in plants. This is because glutamate and glutamine are the primary amino donors for the biosynthesis of ...

Nitrogen is the most essential plant macronutrient and the major limiting factor for plant growth and productivity. It is assimilated into glutamine by the activity of the enzyme glutamine synthetase (GS), and the activity of this enzyme plays a central role in the assimilation and re-assimilation...

Asparagine (Asn) is an amino acid which serves as a carrier and storage form of nitrogen. In this chapter, the history, chemical properties and general role of Asn will be examined, followed by an account of the history of asparagine synthetase (AsnS) research in humans, microbes and plants. The...

Plasma amino acid pools are regulated by production and disposal. Whereas essential amino acids are dependent on protein breakdown for their plasma flux, non-essential amino acids are produced de novo within the body. In many instances these production processes are encased in metabolic cycles,...

Nutritional support improves outcome in several clinical conditions. Glutamine (Gln), a non-essential amino acid, has distinct properties, apart from providing nitrogen for protein synthesis. This chapter aims to provide an indepth review on the efficacy of oral Gln on protein metabolism and...

This chapter on the role of nutrients in the immune response summarizes current knowledge of the important role some nutrients play in maintaining the defence mechanisms and the integrity of the immune systems of the body. It specifically examines the role in immune response and function of macro...

It is appropriate and instructive to review the evidence presented in the preceding chapters of Amino Acids in Human Nutrition and Health. The purpose here is to integrate the individual sets of conclusions in a manner that emphasizes not only the underlying complexities of interdependence in amino ...

The role of the gut in the intermediary metabolism of amino acids and proteins is discussed, as well as the specific functions of the different amino acids and their intermediate products. Also, the disturbances in intermediary metabolism of amino acids, specifically of glutamine, citrulline,...