Letter to Editor

Glutamine in Tuberculosis Treatment: Promising Hepatoprotection but Unanswered Clinical Questions

Volume: 7 Number: 3 January 10, 2026
TR EN

Glutamine in Tuberculosis Treatment: Promising Hepatoprotection but Unanswered Clinical Questions

Abstract

This letter discusses the study by Adikwu et al. published in the Eurasian Journal of Toxicology, which demonstrated the hepatoprotective effects of glutamine against antituberculosis drug-induced liver injury (RIPE). While the restoration of liver enzymes and histological improvement with glutamine supplementation is promising, we highlight three critical limitations from a clinical perspective. First is the risk that glutamine might support the growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis due to the bacterium's nitrogen metabolism. Second is the potential for pharmacokinetic interactions between glutamine and the RIPE regimen that could compromise drug efficacy. Third is the challenge of translating high preclinical doses to often malnourished tuberculosis patients safely. We conclude that further studies using infected models are essential before considering glutamine for clinical application.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

This study did not receive any financial support from any institution

Ethical Statement

Since this manuscript is a commentary and includes no human subjects or patient data, ethical committee approval was not applicable

Thanks

The author(s) declare that there are no acknowledgements to disclose

References

  1. World Health Organization. Global Tuberculosis Report 2024. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2024.
  2. Adikwu E, Nnanna TB, Koya SK. Antituberculosis DrugInduced Hepatotoxicity: Preclinical Benefit of Glutamine. Eurasian J Tox. 2024; 6(3): 43–49.
  3. Gouzy A, Poquet Y, Neyrolles O. Amino acid capture and utilization by Mycobacterium tuberculosis within the macrophage. Future Microbiol. 2014; 9(5): 631-637.
  4. Yue J, Peng R, Chen J, Liu Y, Dong G. Effects of rifampin on CYP2E1-dependent hepatotoxicity of isoniazid in rats. Pharmacol Res. 2009; 59(2): 112-119.
  5. Gupta KB, Gupta R, Atreja A, Verma M, Vishvkarma S. Tuberculosis and nutrition. Lung India. 2009; 26(1): 9-16

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Clinical Sciences (Other)

Journal Section

Letter to Editor

Publication Date

January 10, 2026

Submission Date

December 17, 2025

Acceptance Date

December 22, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 7 Number: 3

APA
Şahin, H. (2026). Glutamine in Tuberculosis Treatment: Promising Hepatoprotection but Unanswered Clinical Questions. Eurasian Journal of Toxicology, 7(3), 43-44. https://doi.org/10.51262/ejtox.1843852
AMA
1.Şahin H. Glutamine in Tuberculosis Treatment: Promising Hepatoprotection but Unanswered Clinical Questions. Eurasian J Tox. 2026;7(3):43-44. doi:10.51262/ejtox.1843852
Chicago
Şahin, Hatice. 2026. “Glutamine in Tuberculosis Treatment: Promising Hepatoprotection But Unanswered Clinical Questions”. Eurasian Journal of Toxicology 7 (3): 43-44. https://doi.org/10.51262/ejtox.1843852.
EndNote
Şahin H (January 1, 2026) Glutamine in Tuberculosis Treatment: Promising Hepatoprotection but Unanswered Clinical Questions. Eurasian Journal of Toxicology 7 3 43–44.
IEEE
[1]H. Şahin, “Glutamine in Tuberculosis Treatment: Promising Hepatoprotection but Unanswered Clinical Questions”, Eurasian J Tox, vol. 7, no. 3, pp. 43–44, Jan. 2026, doi: 10.51262/ejtox.1843852.
ISNAD
Şahin, Hatice. “Glutamine in Tuberculosis Treatment: Promising Hepatoprotection But Unanswered Clinical Questions”. Eurasian Journal of Toxicology 7/3 (January 1, 2026): 43-44. https://doi.org/10.51262/ejtox.1843852.
JAMA
1.Şahin H. Glutamine in Tuberculosis Treatment: Promising Hepatoprotection but Unanswered Clinical Questions. Eurasian J Tox. 2026;7:43–44.
MLA
Şahin, Hatice. “Glutamine in Tuberculosis Treatment: Promising Hepatoprotection But Unanswered Clinical Questions”. Eurasian Journal of Toxicology, vol. 7, no. 3, Jan. 2026, pp. 43-44, doi:10.51262/ejtox.1843852.
Vancouver
1.Hatice Şahin. Glutamine in Tuberculosis Treatment: Promising Hepatoprotection but Unanswered Clinical Questions. Eurasian J Tox. 2026 Jan. 1;7(3):43-4. doi:10.51262/ejtox.1843852